Marriage Of Convenience: A BWWM Billionaire Love Story (18 page)

“
Your
housekeeper did inform us of your doctor’s name and the fact
that you would want him – but he is not affiliated with this
hospital and so-“

“
Then
move me to a facility with which he
is
affiliated,” Max interrupted.

That at least wiped the
smile off Dr. Schofield’s face. “Mr. Lestrange you have
to know that you are very weak right now and not in any position to
be moved,” he said in a more subdued tone than he’d been
hitherto using. “It would not behoove you to try and do so. At
least wait until you’re stronger.”

Max glared at him,
wanting to punch him in the face but truly feeling too weak to move.
He hated it, this weakness; and it scared the hell out of him. What
had happened to him?

“
Have
you checked my system for drugs?” he asked.

“
It's
one of the tests requested,” Dr. Schofield said. “If you
can be just a little patient we should know in an hour or two what
ails you.”

“
An
hour or two?” Max exclaimed in disbelief.

“
We
ordered extensive tests sir,” Dr. Schofield said.

Max just glared at him,
wanting to get out of bed, possibly hit something; preferably the
good doctor. But he just lay back in defeat and stared at the
ceiling.

“
Martha,
did you bring my bed clothes?” he asked.

“
Yes
sir, right here,” Martha said placing a pair of pajamas on the
bedside table where Max could see them.

“
Can
I at least change out of this mortifying gown?” Max asked the
doctor.

Dr. Schofield opened
his mouth to explain hospital policy but then closed it again. This
level of politics was above his pay grade. “Sure,” he
said and walked out of the room together with the nurse so that Max
could change. As soon as they were alone, Max relaxed.

“
Martha
what happened?” he asked.

“
You
collapsed at the fight sir,” Martha begun at once. “The
casino called an ambulance and the mayor called me. They had already
brought you here to this hospital by the time I could get here. I
called Dr. Benson and he arrived to check on you but they only
allowed him in as a professional courtesy but they said he could not
treat you because of that affiliation thing. He said to call him as
soon as you woke. I’ve already sent him a text.”

“
Good
girl. Anything else?” Max asked.

Martha shook her head.
“Everything is under control sir. Whitby is handling the press,
Constantine has informed the board of what is happening.”

“
What’s
he telling the press?” Max wanted to know.

“
No
information at this time,” Martha said.

Max nodded. “That
might not be the best strategy for the stocks. Ask him to change that
to a bad case of the flu.”

“
Yes
sir,” Martha said taking out her phone to text Whitby.

“
Where
is Andrea?” Max asked.

“
She’s
taking care of canceling or rescheduling appointments sir. She should
be here this afternoon.”

“
Right.
Good.” Max said.

“
Also,
your mother called,” Martha said tentatively.

Max was silent, staring
at the ceiling.

“
She…wanted
to know how serious it was,” Martha said.

Max turned to look at
her. “What did you tell her Martha?” he demanded.

Martha shrugged her
ample shoulders. “I told her the doctors didn’t know. She
asked me to keep her informed.”

Max’s eyes
narrowed and Martha hastened to add, “I said I would tell you
to get in touch.”

Max’s brow
cleared and he snorted, “She probably was hoping I’d cop
it and she’d have a chance at inheriting everything.”

“
Yes
sir,” Martha said obediently.

Max looked around the
room, his frown returning.

“
I
have some things for you in the car, your robe, slippers, laptop,
some flowers to brighten the room and your throw rug for the floor,”
Martha said seeing the frown. Max nodded his approval.

“
Great,
bring them in. Especially the laptop,” he said.

Martha nodded and left
as Max lay back.

*****

“
Hey
gra, how are you?” Christine called as she heard her
grandmother come in. She looked at the clock tick tick ticking away
in the hall. Ten pm. Late even by her grandmother’s standards.
That Mr. Lestrange worked her too hard.

“
I’m
good, how are you?” Martha replied.

“
Wonderful.
We got a new intern at work today. Eager to please, good looking…I
hate him,” Christine replied.

Martha laughed shaking
her head. “What am I going to do with you Chris?”

“
Stop
calling me by a boy’s name?” Christine asked. “Anyway,
why are you home so late? Another dinner party?”

Martha stopped
massaging her feet to look up at Christine in surprise. “Mr.
Lestrange is in the hospital Chris, show some compassion.”

“
What?
What happened?” Christine asked moving to help her grandmother
with her other shoe.

“
The
doctors say it's some kind of infection. I don’t have the
details. I’m not kin,” Martha said.

Christine snorted,
“You’re as much kin as any that man has.”

Martha did not
disagree.

“
So…?
Is he gonna be okay or are you out of a job?”

Martha glared at her.
“You are so unfeeling at times girl.”

“
I’m
not…I just…I don’t think Max appreciates you as
much as he should,” she said.

Martha smiled. “Girl
you know nothing. Now go get me a cuppa tea and stop bitchin,”
she said making Christine laugh as she went.

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Hi, my name's Cher
Etan. I'm a long term writer who has largely written in another style
of romance under a pen name. Ever since I stumbled upon this black
woman white man style of books however, that's all I've wanted to
write. And now I am.

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Cher Etan.

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