THE POWER OF LOVE- A billionaire love story

chapter 6

As Adina gazed at her reflection in the mirror, a wave of contentment washed over her, unlike anything she had felt in days. She held a profound appreciation for Ruan, whose gentle nature meant he never imposed anything on her unless it was absolutely essential. Makeup was a case in point. Most of the time, it left her face feeling heavy and inauthentic; she preferred a natural appearance. Remarkably, Ruan had even mastered the art of makeup, ensuring that it enhanced her natural beauty.

With a grin, he playfully remarked, "We ought to address those tired eyes, trust me." Adina's trust in him went deeper than she sometimes trusted herself. He led her to the bathroom, where he expertly applied contour, mascara, and a subtle lip tint. Adina couldn't deny the transformation; she felt undeniably sexier. It was amazing how a touch of makeup could have such a profound impact on one's self-esteem.

Ruan guided her out of the bedroom after allowing her ample time to admire herself in the mirror, though she couldn't quite gauge how long it had been. In the meantime, he had taken a shower, dressed immaculately, and prepared a light meal for her.

"Would you like some fruit salad and milk?" he inquired.

Adina nodded, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Yes, please. Most of the other foods have been making me feel unwell. It might be an infection or something else. Who knows? But I do need to eat something." She took her first bite of the fruit salad, and the burst of flavor in her mouth brought a genuine smile to her face. It was then that she realized how closely Ruan had been paying attention, understanding her struggles with food and her reluctance to eat most things.

"Peaches. How did you know that I have this immense love for peaches?" Adina asked, a sense of delightful surprise tingling in her voice.

Ruan, her partner of six years, tilted his head in playful contemplation before responding, "Hmm, let me think. We've been living together for six years now, right?"

Adina nodded with a smile, her affection for Ruan evident in her eyes. "Yes, that long."

With a touch of theatrics, Ruan continued, "Well, in that case, I guess I'm like that forgetful husband you never really take care of." He grinned, his eyes sparkling with warmth.

Upon reflection, Adina realized the depth of care and devotion Ruan had always shown her. He had been a constant source of support, a guardian of her well-being. She couldn't imagine a life without him. Ruan, who was not only gay but also six years her senior, possessed a remarkable level of maturity. His passion for everything he undertook was infectious, and she deeply admired his unwavering commitment to the things he loved.

Adina couldn't help but hope that Max, their mutual friend, wouldn't let someone as remarkable as Ruan slip through his fingers. The way Max treated Ruan spoke volumes about his affection, and despite being roughly her age, Max had a clear sense of purpose and knew precisely what he wanted in life. It was evident that their shared appreciation for Ruan bound them together in a unique and beautiful way.

Adina gracefully dismounted the stool and approached Ruan, her heart full of gratitude and affection. She embraced him tightly, her voice quivering with emotion as she expressed her feelings. "Thank you, Ruan, for everything—your love, your care, and always being there for me."

Initially, her sudden display of affection had taken Ruan by surprise, momentarily throwing him off balance. But he welcomed her embrace with open arms, holding her even closer. He planted a tender kiss on her temple, his words laden with heartfelt sincerity. "You're family, Adi. Family supports and takes care of each other. You are a vital part of my family, and I'd choose to do it all over again. Your strength and selflessness make anyone who has you in their life incredibly fortunate. I count myself lucky to have you."

Suddenly, another voice chimed in. It was Max, who eagerly joined the hug, sandwiching Adina between the two important people in her life. Max greeted her with a gentle kiss on the cheek, a gesture that had become their customary hello. Then, he turned to Ruan and engaged in an affectionate, passionate kiss, his actions a testament to their profound connection and the advantage of their towering height difference.

"Eew," Adina playfully interjected. "You two do realize I'm still almost stuck between you, right? All this sweetness is almost making me sick. Almost," she teased, her tone filled with mock disgust. She couldn't help but feel the reverberations of Ruan's playful growl, which resonated from his chest.

Deciding to give them some space, Adina managed to extricate herself and returned to her stool, resuming her meal of fresh fruits. Ruan had indeed gone all out with the thoughtful gesture, providing food that didn't threaten to reappear as soon as it went down.

Meanwhile, Ruan and Max had momentarily ceased their affectionate exchange, and Ruan led Max to the stool next to Adina. He retrieved the milk from the fridge and filled a glass for Max, placing it in front of him. Max expressed his thanks before focusing his attention on Adina, the air around them still brimming with warmth and the unmistakable bond that bound these three together.

"How are you feeling today, Adi?" Ruan's concern shone through his words as he regarded Adina with a gentle and caring expression. In response, Adina offered a nonchalant shrug. "Better, I suppose," she admitted, a hint of uncertainty lingering in her voice.

Ruan couldn't help but notice the change in her response. "That's an improvement. At least it's not your typical 'I'm okay,' which was starting to worry us, you know," he remarked, his voice laced with a genuine concern that mirrored Max's own feelings.

Adina nodded with a sense of resignation, fully aware of the cause for their concern. Her reluctance to admit to her own vulnerability had been a source of worry for her friends.

Ruan, ever the proactive caretaker, interjected with a plan. "We're going to drop by the hospital," he announced, looking at Adina. Max glanced at her, awaiting her response to this decision. "She finally agreed to that part, didn't you?" he added.

Adina hesitated for a moment, struggling to articulate her feelings. "Yeah, well, I—" she began, but Ruan quickly interjected, his concern palpable. "Her shoulder is still tender. It might be an infection. I don't know, but we're going to the hospital just to be sure. Maybe that man had rabies," he suggested with a teasing smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Adina's worries, however, remained deep-seated. She couldn't shake the nagging question of what had truly transpired on that fateful night. Ruan noticed the concern etched across her face and urged her gently, "Stop making that face, Adi. And don't force yourself to remember. You'll only give yourself a headache. The memories will return in due time." His comforting words brought a smile to her lips, reflecting her gratitude for his unwavering support.

Max, who had been checking the time on his impressive Rolex, interrupted their conversation with a reminder of their need to depart. "We should leave soon if we're going to beat the traffic and make it to the other side of town," he noted, emphasizing the importance of their timely departure.

Adina, momentarily distracted by Max's luxurious timepiece, couldn't help but blurt out her feelings. "I'm so jealous right now," she confessed, prompting both Ruan and Max to turn their attention toward her. They exchanged a knowing look and shared a laugh at her candid remark.

"Why?" they asked simultaneously, their amusement evident.

Adina sighed and leaned back, feeling like the third wheel in their relationship. "Exactly that," she replied with a touch of wistfulness. "You two have each other, and sometimes I can't help but feel like I'm on the outside. It would be nice to have a man of my own." Her candid admission left a poignant pause in the room, a reflection of her longing for companionship in a world where love was both a beautiful and elusive treasure.

"Adi, you're probably the pickiest person I've ever met," Ruan playfully teased, the grin on his face revealing his amusement. He couldn't help but agree that Adina had an uncanny talent for attracting individuals who could only be described as "douchebags." It was a reality that she herself had acknowledged, having often found herself entangled with such characters in the past.

He continued, recounting her somewhat perplexing preferences, "You believe a man in a suit or tuxedo, say, Armani, is too constipated. Anyone who dares to wear shorts, socks, and sandals, well, they need to grow up. And as for those with beards and tattoos, they're deemed too old, even if they're not. If they are genuinely older, well, that's a problem too. It's like you're searching for neither a bad boy nor a good boy. In fact, you're not quite sure what you truly want in a man."

With a knowing smile, Ruan imparted some wisdom. "So, my dear, I'll tell you this. Love is a mysterious thing. It arrives in shades and colors that none of us expect." He shifted his gaze toward Max, his affection for both of them evident. "You won't even realize it's love until it's already there. No matter how ready you think you are for it, when love strikes, there's no turning back. You either swim with the current or sink."

Ruan's words carried a depth of insight, and Adina couldn't help but reflect on their truth. Her parents had often echoed a similar sentiment when she inquired about their love story, even after two decades of marriage. Their unwavering love had remained vibrant and alive, like they had just met, making it a beautiful spectacle to behold. The only tragic aspect was that their life together had been cut short far too soon.

They departed from the door and made their way to Max's car, each taking their respective seats: Adina in the back, and Max and Ruan occupying the front. As they settled in, Max couldn't resist the opportunity to broach a familiar topic.

"Sweetheart, I still don't understand why you won't move in with me. What's so special about this neighborhood?" Max inquired, his genuine curiosity evident in his voice. Adina had often considered this very question. While she acknowledged that her current neighborhood might not be the most glamorous, it was safe and, more importantly, affordable.

Ruan, who had a knack for sensing when to intervene, leaned closer to Max and whispered something to him, though Adina couldn't quite catch their hushed exchange. Max responded with a nod, indicating his understanding. Adina chose to feign ignorance, her gaze fixed on the scenery outside the car window, even though there wasn't much to see. She had explored every corner of this neighborhood over the past six years and was well aware of its limitations.

Max, taking the conversation a step further, vocalized his concern. "I might provide for you, but, honey, we still have a long way to go," he stated, voicing the unspoken reality. Adina recognized that she was the primary reason Ruan had been hesitant to move in with Max. Her financial situation meant she couldn't afford the apartment on her own, and the option of moving in with Max wasn't currently viable.

As the conversation fell into a lull, Ruan decided to fill the silence by putting on some music. Adina couldn't help but notice him casting a sidelong glance in her direction. She understood that his concern for her well-being was the driving force behind his actions and was grateful for his unwavering support, even when it went unspoken.

The journey to the hospital was rather protracted, consuming a solid half-hour of Max's time behind the wheel. Upon arrival, Max courteously dropped Adina off at the bustling emergency entrance with an earnest plea, "I'll go hunt for a parking spot. Please, you go on ahead." Adina, albeit a bit apprehensive, nodded in acknowledgment.

"Okay, baby," responded Ruan as they both disembarked from the vehicle.

Ruan and Adina ventured into the hospital's labyrinthine corridors, ultimately arriving at the nurses' station to initiate their check-in process. Nervously, Adina expressed her intentions to the seemingly preoccupied woman behind the desk, "Hello, hi. We would like to see a doctor." Her reluctance to be here was palpable.

Without raising her gaze from her work, the woman queried, "Do you have an appointment?"

Adina hesitated for a moment, and Ruan, sensing her discomfort, promptly intervened, "Um, about that..."

"Yes, she has an appointment. Adina Lois Kenan," Ruan declared confidently. The nurse diligently typed the name into her computer and, upon seeing the results, her demeanor shifted noticeably.

"You are her," she stated with an air of certainty that was slightly eerie.

"Uh, yeah. Last time I checked," Adina replied with a nervous chuckle, the sudden change in the atmosphere giving her pause.

With newfound warmth, the nurse gestured toward the hallway, "This way, the doctor is waiting for you."

Ruan and Adina exchanged curious glances. "Don't you have to stay at the desk? You could just provide us with directions, and we'll find our way," Ruan suggested, questioning the nurse's inexplicable transformation.

"I need a stretch anyway; I've been cooped up behind that desk for six hours. This way, please," the nurse responded, her shift in demeanor perplexing Ruan and Adina, who found the abrupt change both unsettling and disconcerting.

Adina's anxiety gripped her as she leaned in closer to Ruan, her voice trembling with concern. "Is she going to kill us? The nurse changed her attitude so fast I want to run."

Ruan, ever the voice of reason, tried to soothe her unease. "Don't worry. We'll be just fine. It's possible that she's harboring a bit of a crush on the doctor who's about to see you. She might have been eager to see him and is using this as an excuse." Ruan observed the nurse's flirtatious interactions with the doctor, her subtle eyelash batting and attentiveness, leaving them both in a somewhat awkward situation.

The doctor, however, proved to be a pleasant surprise. He showed genuine concern and inquired about the circumstances of her injury without a trace of judgment. Adina had feared his scrutiny, but instead, he extended a comforting aura.

"Could you show me the injured shoulder? I need to examine the area," the doctor requested.

Adina hesitated, her mind momentarily wandering to whether she should remove her shirt. "Should I take my shirt off?"

The doctor reassured her, "No need for that. Just shift it slightly to the side, and that should suffice."

Ruan flashed a supportive smile, appreciating Adina's willingness to cooperate. Adina, complying with the doctor's instructions, bared her shoulder for examination. The doctor delicately probed the area, causing Adina to wince slightly from the discomfort.

"How long have you been experiencing this pain?" he inquired.

"About two weeks now," Adina replied, her apprehension growing with each passing moment.

The doctor made a note on his pad. "I'd like you to proceed to the laboratory and have a blood test done. We need to determine what might be hindering the healing process, and that can only be revealed through a blood test." He handed Adina a note. "The laboratory is down the hall to your right. Just knock once on the door and hand this note to the person there. Return here immediately; the results will be sent directly to my computer," he instructed, his calm and professional demeanor helping to alleviate some of Adina's fears.

They walked together to the clinical laboratory where she followed the doctor's recommendation and patiently had her blood drawn. As they waited in the corridor outside the doctor's office, she turned to Ruan, a perplexed expression on her face, and inquired, "Why do they need to draw so much blood?" A warm smile graced Ruan's lips as he replied, "I've often wondered the same thing. It's a mystery to me as well."

An hour crept by, and Max had yet to make his appearance. Their names had not been called again. Puzzled, she asked Ruan, "Where's Max?" Ruan held up his phone, showing her that Max was engrossed in answering emails and had to retreat to the car to do so. She marveled at how diligent Max was with his work, always ready to respond when not engaged in conversation. She appreciated the mutual respect they had in their relationship. Max's unwavering organizational skills often made her wonder if he had a touch of OCD, but she later understood it was a necessity for someone in his role as the secretary of a CEO. One small error could cascade into a chaotic day.

However, when he was with Ruan, he would put work aside unless it was absolutely necessary. Sometimes he even spent the night at their apartment, feeling they hadn't spent enough quality time together, which she found incredibly endearing.

The nurse called out her name, "Adina Lois Kenan," breaking her reverie and drawing her attention back to the present. She responded with a quick "Yes."

The nurse ushered them into the doctor's office, where they both settled into their seats, awaiting the impending revelation. The doctor, holding an iPad, broke the silence with a deliberate pause. "Your test results are in," he began, "and I have both good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?" She exchanged a glance with Ruan before deciding, "Let's start with the bad news."

"Alright, the results from the test indicate that you are currently dealing with an infection. It seems you've unknowingly consumed something that's been impeding your body's natural healing process, which typically kicks in after a few days. However, your body's response is still in its early stages. I'm going to prescribe you something to alleviate the discomfort and provide a topical treatment. This won't numb the area like a cream would, but it will reduce swelling and prevent further infection. If you experience a rash or if the medication worsens your condition, discontinue it and return for an alternative.

Although this seemed acceptable to her, Adina couldn't help but worry about the potential medical expenses. Max had already been through so much.

Curiosity piqued, she leaned forward on the desk, her elbows resting on its surface. "Is there any good news to go along with this?" she inquired.

The doctor delivered an unexpected revelation, "You're pregnant. Congratulations, ma'am."

Adina's breath caught in her throat. "I'm what?" she stammered, a flood of emotions overwhelming her.

The doctor reaffirmed, "You are two weeks pregnant."

Adina struggled to fathom this news. How could she possibly be pregnant? When did it happen? Then, it hit her like a bolt of lightning. It had been that Saturday night.