Mr. Billionaire, I'm Back!

Chapter 38: What's Wrong With Me?

When Susan realized that her daughter was missing, she began to cry. She looked at her husband, and between sobs, she said, "Honey, you must help Sarah. She is so innocent. Don't let anything bad happen to her."

Robin wiped the tears from her cheeks and said, "Don't worry. There are many reasons for a person not to answer their phone, and most aren't nefarious. Either way, I will find her, and I will protect her."

Susan wrapped her arms around her husband and told him how much she loved him. After a while, he carried her up to their room. They made love, and then he tucked her into bed. "You will feel better after you've had a rest," he said. "And hopefully, by the time you wake up, I'll have some answers for you."

***

Robin called his assistant, who was also a computer hacker, and said, "Thanks for the heads up about that video. Can you get it removed from the internet?"

Robin's assistant sighed and said, "I can try, but I doubt I'll be successful. A video like this is like a Hydra. You can cut off one of its heads, but two more will grow and replace it. I mean, nothing ever really gets deleted from the internet. And once the media gets, it could turn into a real s**t storm."

"I understand," Robin said. "Just do your best."

***

By the time Joanna left the hospital, there were many journalists outside the main entrance, so she slipped out through one of the side exits – where she ran into Brian. He was leaning against his car, casually smoking a cigarette. Joanna froze when she saw him. How did he know I'd be here at this exact moment? - she wondered if he was stalking her, and the thought frightened her.

Brian smiled and walked over to where Joanna was standing. When they were about one meter apart, he stopped, reached out his arms, and said, "Joanna, come here."

Joana looked at his hands and did nothing.

Brian called her name again, and she looked at him and said, "Huh?"

"Come here," Brian commanded.

Joanna looked at his hand again, and without thinking, she stretched out her left arm and held Brian's right hand. A second passed, and then he pulled her into his arms, and she squealed. "Brian," she said. "This is not right."

Brian rubbed her head. "What's wrong with this?" he asked.

"I am still married," Joanna replied. Although she and Ken had never been a real couple, they were still legally married, and she didn't want to tarnish his reputation. Thus, she was determined to not take him as her lover.

Brian laughed and said, "A married woman. So that's why this is so exciting!"

Joanna blushed, and she tried to push Brian away. He wouldn't let her go, though, so she shouted at him, called him a bastard, and told him to let her go. Instead of letting her go, though, he picked her up, carried her to his car, and forced her inside. Finally, as Brian pulled her seatbelt over her shoulder and snapped it into place, she admitted defeat, quit struggling, and began to cry.

Brian scowled. "Don't you think you're overreacting a bit?" he asked. But Joanna looked away and ignored him.

Brian stroked her cheek and wiped the tears from her eyes. Then he pinched her chin, turned her head, and tried to kiss her on the lips. Joanna pulled back and said, "Don't take advantage of me!"

Brian rubbed her hair roughly and said, "You really are a little fool."

Joanna grunted and looked away again. She was tired of him called her a little fool, but for some reason, it didn't bother her as much as it had the first time he's called her that. In fact, this time, the insult seemed somehow endearing. That being said, she wasn't about to tell him that. What is wrong with me? – she wondered – Maybe I am a little fool!

Brian took a step backward and shut the door, then he went around the car and climbed into the driver's seat. Meanwhile, Joanna tried to get out, but he'd put the child locks on again. He really is smart – thought Joanna.

As Brian started the car, he looked at Joanna in the rearview mirror. "Where to?" he asked.

"I want to see Olivia," Joanna replied.

Brian: "Isn't she in the hospital?"

Joanna: "She is, but she's at the other hospital."

***

At the other hospital - It hurt a little to smile, but when Olivia saw Joanna, she smiled anyway. Joanna had a bundle of flowers in her hand, and after she'd placed them by the window, she took the seat next to Olivia's bed. "How are you feeling?" she asked.

"I'm alive," Olivia replied. "They've got me pretty doped up, so the pain isn't bothering me too much. I'm sure I will feel it worse when the drugs wear off."

Joanna held her friend's hand and said, "You'll just have to take it easy."

Olivia nodded. Then she looked over to the door, where Brian was standing. "Who's this?" she asked.

Joanna made the introductions: "Olivia Hilliard, Brian Jones. Brian Jones, Olivia Hilliard."

Olivia had met Brian at the bar once, and she had a particularly good impression of him because he had saved Joanna. That being said, she hadn't expected to see them together. Olivia wanted to say hello to Brian, but Joanna squeezed her hand gently and said, "Don't talk."

Brian smiled and said nothing.

Olivia looked at Joanna resentfully and then at Brian, and then she looked at Joanna again. "Joanna," she said, "Tell me what's going on between you and this man!"

Joanna didn't know what to say, so she pretended that she didn't understand the question. When Olivia saw the all too fake confused expression on her friend's face, she wanted to get up and hit her. All the while, she was thinking - When I'm done here, I'll make her tell me everything!