MY EX's BILLIONAIRE BROTHER

7: SLIP OF THE TONGUE

Sebastian's breath hitched when he came back out and heard Kristine's question. His gaze drifted to Josephine, who looked startled, frozen in place.

“She is someone daddy used to know a long time ago,” Sebastian offered quickly, bringing Kristine's attention to him. “Ready to go?” He asked.

“I am fine now, daddy,” Kristine declared, “my tummy doesn't hurt anymore.” Sebastian chuckled. He expected that much from his little girl. She is awfully afraid of hospitals, and not even the ever-pleasant doctor Scott can make her feel otherwise.

“Is my big girl afraid of needles?” He teased, tickling her side lightly while holding her back with his other hand to steady her. Kristine pouted with a shy head shake because Josephine was looking in. Sebastian scooped her in his arms. “I promise no needles today,” she smiled, wrapping her tiny hands around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. Josephine followed closely, and quietly. She was satisfied just observing the interaction between the two.

Kristine lifted her head and peeked at Josephine. The older woman attempted a smile. All kinds of emotions were rushing through her, she couldn't comprehend a coherent feeling.

“Can your friend come with us, daddy?” Kristine asked innocently, but Sebastian knew that tone too well. His daughter was smart, very smart. It's annoying every so often. She must have caught on to the tension between the adults.

“She is busy, pumpkin,” Sebastian argued, hoping Josephine doesn't agree to Kristine's whims.

“Please daddy,” Kristine whined, “she doesn't look busy to me.” Josephine laughed at the observation. The little girl was sassy. Sebastian did a good job raising such an outspoken child alone.

“You are busy, right?” Sebastian prompted, turning to face Josephine with pleading eyes. Josephine looked between father and daughter and wondered whom to disappoint. “Please come with us,” the decision was already made.

“Okay,” Josephine accepted, making Sebastian frown briefly. His daughter's excitement dampened whatever irritation he was feeling. The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out into the basement.

“We can take my car,” Sebastian offered, reading into Josephine's dilemma. He led them to his black Bentley Bentayga. After strapping Kristine safely in the back left, he walked to the right side and opened the door for Josephine, who climbed in next to Kristine.

Just then, William, his chauffeur, arrived looking all worried. He quickly got behind the wheel, while Sebastian settled in the passenger seat. “Are you okay there, sweetheart?” William asked Kristine in concern.

“I am okay, Will.” Kristine nodded, giving her big friend a wide grin. He is the one who had just picked her up after the school called, and he had just assumed she was feigning it, like always. But after Sebastian sent him a message to come to drive them to the hospital, he realized it might be serious.

“She is okay, big guy,” Sebastian patted his chauffeur and head of security in reassurance. William nodded and pulled out of the parking, heading straight to Mayner private hospital. Once in a while, he would glance through the rearview mirror at Kristine. Josephine didn't miss those apprehensive glances. Her daughter was surely loved.

“What's your name?” Kristine turned to Josephine,

Josephine briefly glanced at Sebastian as if she were seeking his permission to answer. The billionaire just shrugged his shoulders. “My name is Josephine, but you can call me Joss.”

“I will call you Josephine,” Kristine declared, stretching her hand for a shake. “It suits you better, Joss, sounds lame.”

William and Sebastian chuckled at Josephine's surprised stare. She had thought Kristine would prefer something short and simple, like most kids. “I am Kristine Leila McCain.” She introduced herself confidently. William shot her a proud smirk, making her giggle.

“How do you know my daddy?” She was a curious one, Josephine noted amused.

“I knew his brother,” Josephine answered honestly.

“Uncle Tony?” Kristine asked and Josephine shook her head. “Uncle D?” Another head shake, though Josephine didn't know who, D, was. “Uncle Lewi?” Kristine asked after a brief thoughtful silence. Josephine's surprise couldn't be concealed. She wouldn't have assumed the little girl knew about Lewis. “Yes,” Josephine whispered, her voice trembling a little. Sebastian glanced at the two subtly in silence.

“Was he your friend?” She insisted with genuine interest.

“Yes, he was.” Josephine smiled while Sebastian snickered in mirth.

“He was my daddy too,” Kristine said sadly, leaning back on the leather seat. “But he died.”

“I know, sweetheart,” Josephine whispered, unable to say anything else.

“You know he loved you,” Sebastian added, turning to look at his daughter. Kristine nodded. “And I love you,” that got a smile out of the little girl. “He loves you also,” Sebastian pointed at William, who nodded enthusiastically. “Everyone loves you, sweetheart,” William confirmed.

“I know that, Will.” Kristine retorted, sticking her tongue out, making the adults chuckle. “Daddy, will you help me with my project today?” she asked, forgetting all about Lewis.

“Of course, pumpkin. What is it about?”

Kristine groaned in a bored manner. “The teacher wants us to test and compare electrolytes in different soft drinks.”

“Mmmh,” Sebastian hummed, seeing why she lacked excitement. His daughter is smarter than even most adults. She is a little genius. She must have done the said project at the age of five.

“What do you want to do?” Sebastian asked knowingly, making William's ears perk. He also wanted to hear what they would be burning today.

“I read somewhere about the frictionless braking system. Isn't that cool?” She gushed,

“So cool,” Sebastian agreed, sharing in her glee. “What will we need?”

“I already have a DC motor, couplings, screws, and bolts.” She began eagerly. “All we need is high-power magnets, copper drum, frame, and supporting base.”

“Did you get all that?” Sebastian asked William with a smile.

“I did, sir.” The other man responded, peeking at Kristine.

“Oh, I forgot,” Kristine exclaimed, “we also need a bearing, an axle, and a housing.” Her eyes sparkled and Sebastian couldn't hide his pride. For a seven-year-old, she was quite tenacious.

“After we see doctor Scott, you and William will go purchase the ingredients.” Sebastian offered just as they pulled into Mayner hospital. All that while, Josephine was silent, and she didn't mind.

After parking, Sebastian got out and opened Josephine's door first before moving to Kristine's side. He securely lifted her in his arms and carried her through the busy reception, to doctor Scott's office. He had already called the man to inform him of their arrival.

“The only patient of mine who doesn't like me,” Scott teased, eyeing his young patient.

“Daddy said no needles,” Kristine informed firmly with a frown.

“Did he?” Doctor Scott looked at Sebastian, who mouthed a 'please doctor,' making the man laugh.

“Tell him, daddy,” Kristine demanded.

“No needles today, doctor,” Sebastian said, seriously fighting back a grin. Josephine coughed beside him. It was obvious she too was on the verge of laughter. Sebastian scowled playfully at her, making Josephine lose it. She let out a rich squeaky laugh, which was so contagious, that the good doctor and Sebastian succumbed to it. “Let's have a look at you,” he said, lifting her.

“Is she…” Doctor Scott began referring to Josephine, but then trailed off at the glare which Sebastian shot him.

“She is daddy's friend,” Kristine informed, "her name is Josephine.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Josephine.” Doctor Scott greeted, and Sebastian didn't miss his flirtatious tone. Josephine smiled. Sebastian didn't like it.

Twenty minutes in, the doctor assured them it was just a minor case of constipation. Sebastian questioned him further wanting to find out what it is, that he fed her which had caused the problem. “I think she might be withholding,”

The doctor convinced Sebastian it was nothing he had done or could have prevented. He recommended creating a toilet routine for Kristine and also ensuring she takes in lots of fluids and fiber to aid in the bowel movements. By the time they left, Kristine liked her doctor a little because he didn't use any needles. And he also gave her a candy bar.

But Josephine couldn't help but worry. It was the first time she had been involved in her daughter's life, and the little girl was sick. Sebastian assured her that such things happen and that Kristine was a healthy ball of life. They met William waiting, leaning on the car. “Everything alright?”

“I am constipated,” Kristine informed seriously. “Doctor Scott says I shouldn't go to school tomorrow,” she couldn't hide her smile.

“Why does she hate school?” Josephine whispered to Sebastian.

“She doesn't hate school,” he argued. “She just hates her grade. She learned everything they are learning now when she was four years old.”

“Oh,” Josephine didn't know what to say. She had never encountered such a child personally.

“ Your daughter is a genius,” Sebastian said and realized his slip immediately, but Josephine was already smiling. She felt great warmth in her heart at Sebastian's acknowledgment. Without evening realizing it, she wanted him to approve of her. She knew her daughter loved and adored the man, which meant the only way to her will be through him.

“Where should we drop you?” Sebastian asked, wishing to get rid of her fast. His slip of the tongue bothered him immensely. What if Kristine had heard it?” He wondered. It just showed how dangerous her presence in their lives was. And he wanted was her gone. Josephine noted the sudden change in his demeanor.

She wasn't a fool not to know why.

“Kimathi street,” Josephine answered softly, hoping not to aggravate the man.

They got in the car and William drove off. Sebastian looked at her apartment once they dropped her off and wished to see inside. It wasn't grand or anything, he was just curious about her. His interest in the woman was getting in the way of his plans, he knew that.

"William will drop off your car tomorrow,” she had to leave her car back at Will's corporation, so they could ride in one.

“I can come to pick…”

“He will bring it to you,” Sebastian interrupted firmly, leaving no room for negotiations. Josephine nodded, feeling sad she had to part with her daughter, who doesn't even truly know who she is.

“Bye Josephine,” Kristine waved.

“Goodbye, Kristine,” Josephine answered emotionally. She turned to leave, but Kristine spoke, “you are invited to my birthday party next week.” Josephine cursed herself for not remembering such a crucial event. In her defense, she has been too occupied of late, and it skipped her mind. She turned her gaze to Sebastian, but the man rolled the window up and William drove off before she could ask if it was okay to attend. Obviously, it wasn't.