MR. TYCOON'S SUGARBABY

Chapter 6

Jordan's POV

I exited the cab, shielding my face against the harsh rays of the sun. The weather was perfect, bright and sunny blue skies with not a single cloud in sight, the complete opposite of the turbulent thoughts and emotions swirling inside me as I approached the hospital building. I made my way through the sliding doors into the sitting area, where the tang scent of antiseptics and pharmaceutical products that were so common with hospitals instantly flooded my nostrils. They brought back bittersweet memories of my childhood. I never liked hospitals then, that still didn't change. I checked in with the receptionist and came into the waiting area where a few others waited. I watched as nurses and orderlies briskly went about the business. Luckily, I spotted Maisie, a nurse I was familiar with; she saw me, too, and came over.

"Oh, hello Ms. Reed, I assume you're here for your mother?"

"Good morning Maisie. Yes, I am, but I also have an appointment with Dr. Xavier."

"Unfortunately, he's in closed consultation right now but he'll attend to you shortly. In the meantime, you can go up and see her." She patted my shoulder gently and then went back the way she came.

💋

I came into the ICU, mentally steeling myself, and pushed open the door to the ward where my mother was currently being admitted. She was asleep. She looked fragile and pale, a thick beanie over her head to keep her warm. Chemotherapy had taken so much from her, her once vibrant and luscious red hair, her strength, appetite, and energy. I looked at her, slowly tracing the soft, pallid contours of her face. She looked peaceful and I dreaded the day when those eyes would close permanently. I shut my eyes and quickly pushed the morbid thoughts away from my mind. It didn't matter how many times I came here, I don't think I'd ever get used to seeing her like this.

The room was silent, save the constant beep of the heart monitor and the soft hum of the machines surrounding her. I gently sat beside her, taking her hand and squeezing it softly. She stirred a little but went back to sleep. Tiny drops of water splattered on the sheets and it took me a few seconds to realize that they were my tears. I brought her hand up to my cheek, drawing some comfort from the warmth there.

"I miss you, mama." I whispered as more tears slid down my cheeks, "I feel so lost without you." I wiped my tears and placed down her hand. A few seconds later, Maisie came in to tell me that Dr. Xavier was ready to attend to me.

💋

I exited the consultation room, the brief conversation with Dr. Xavier replaying in mind.

My mother's brain tumor was growing; Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were failing to contain the spread, and the next available option was surgery. Dr. Xavier, however, was firmly against the idea.

"Ms. Reed, you have to understand that this type of tumor can be challenging to treat because of its position and how it impacts the surrounding brain tissue."

"But you're the best in your field. If anyone can operate on her successfully, it's you. Please Dr. Xavier, won't you reconsider?" I'd pleaded in an attempt to persuade him.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot. The risk of complications is too high. Even if I wanted to, the likelihood of success is very poor."

I perked up upon hearing that, hope burning bright in my chest, "So, there's a chance of success?"

"Nothing is established, of course, but that's notwithstanding the fact. I suggest Targeted therapy. It’s particularly useful for certain brain tumors with identifiable mutations or markers."

He reached out, squeezing my hand, "I understand that this is an incredibly difficult time. Please know that we're here for you."

After that, they handed me the bill for the past month and the amount of zeroes sent my mind reeling. My trust fund was severely depleted as it was and I was already behind on rent...

I was so caught up in my inner musings that I crashed into an orderly, sending the items she was carrying scattering on the floor. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking."

We both scrambled around, gathering her things.

"It's alright, Ms. Reed; it's completely understandable given the crisis you're facing."

When she saw the questioning look on my face, she hurried to clarify, "My name is Grace and I work in the ICU. Your mother and I are quite close, she's such a sweet lady."

"I see," I replied handing her the rest of her stuff.

"Listen," she leaned closer to me, dropping her voice into a whisper, "There's a cafe a few blocks down, let's meet there and discuss if you have the time. My shift ends in less than an hour."

"I'm sorry, Grace, but what could we possibly have to talk about?"

"Your mother's health is deteriorating. I know something that will help her if you'd be willing to meet. I'm sorry, but I need to go now."

She hurried away before I could question her further, and I watched as she went towards the ICU and disappeared behind the doors, all the while wondering what the hell just happened. Needless to say, after exiting the building, I walked down a few blocks, and soon enough, I arrived at the small cafe Grace mentioned. I went in, took a seat by the window, and ordered some iced coffee. It was lunch hour and there were a few people around. I slowly sipped my drink, impatiently glancing at my phone every now and then.

Forty minutes later, Grace came into the cafe, she was no longer wearing the scrubs I saw her in earlier. Now, she wore a loose-fitting summer dress and dark sunshades over her eyes. She sat down across from me and ordered iced water.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting for long, I came as soon as I could."

"It's alright," I replied lacing my hands on the table, eyeing her suspiciously.

She took off her shades and continued, "You have every reason not to trust me. I wouldn't trust me too if our positions were reversed, but I assure you that I mean you no harm."

She paused to take a sip of the iced water and then continued, "What if I told you that there was a cure for your mother's ailment?"

"A cure for cancer? I'd say you were crazy!" I replied already regretting my decision to meet with this strange woman.

"I understand your skepticism, but hear me out," she raised her hands. "Have you ever heard of the Longevity Pill?"

"A Longevity Pill?" I asked, my brows lacing in confusion.

"Yes. It's a remedy that can cure the most complex diseases and anomalies and restore health. And yes, even Cancer."

I bursted out laughing. I laughed so hard that tears came out of the corner and my sides burned. And I watched as Grace shifted nervously in her seat, clearly uncomfortable with the attention my outburst was attracting.

"I think you're delusional. What are you going to tell me next? Is there a pill that can bring the dead back to life too?"

Grace composed herself and continued, "Three years ago, my young daughter suffered from chronic leukemia. At the time she was diagnosed, it was too late to make any difference and I watched as my little girl slowly wasted away in the ICU."

1Grace paused to wipe away tears from her eyes and softly blow her nose. "I was devastated. I would have given anything to get her back."

I felt a tightness in my chest and I immediately regretted the way I'd treated her earlier. I reached out and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm sorry to hear that, Grace. I had no idea."

"It's alright." She dabbed at the corner of her eyes and continued, "But despite my predicament, I reeling with absolute disbelief when a former patient I'd attended to in the ICU approached me and told me about the pill.

"I wasn't buying it of course, but then I remembered that they were diagnosed with an incurable bone disease before they miraculously recovered."

My mind was reeling with the possibilities. Was this all real? Was there hope for my mother? Or would I just become another victim of an elaborate scam?

Grace went on, "I was uncertain, but I took the leap of faith and it wasn't cheap, I can tell you that. But my little girl is alive and well today." Her smile was so deep and sincere that I couldn't help but smile back.

But still, doubt and suspicion gnawed at me. "If this pill is the real deal, why hasn't this marvelous discovery been publicized? Why hasn't any awareness been created? Thousands, if not millions of people could be saved."

Grace leaned back in her seat to mull over my questions for a bit before answering, "I imagine that's exactly what the manufacturers are trying to avoid. You're right, millions of lives could be saved. But think about it, if the government got a hold of something like this, I imagine the common people would no longer have access to it. Even if we did, the price would be too high for most people to afford."

I hated to admit it, but what she said made sense.

Grace slid an old, worn-out piece of paper toward me. "I'm glad I didn't throw this away."

I studied the paper. There was a foreign number scribbled across it in black ink. There was no name or address. "Why would you help me?" I asked, searching her face for an answer.

She placed a crisp bill on the table and stood slipping her shades back on. "Because I've been exactly where you are, I know too well the pain of losing a loved one."

She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, "Whatever you choose to do is entirely up to you.

"I trust you'll keep this meeting between us."