Arrange Marriage To A Billionaire

Lance

I didn't know how to react. Should I be happy for Ian or sad for Landon ? I saw Ian smirking at Landon at the other side of the room while other businessmen were approaching to congratulate him. I directed my gaze on Landon. His features became dark. He was clenching his fists really hard, staring at Ian. Anyone here, especially in my place would definitely feel the depth of rivalry and hatred between these two. I felt awkward, as if I were in the wrong place, at the wrong time but then, I felt rooted to the place, not knowing what to do next.

One moment later, Landon set off furiously towards the exit. Of course he was disappointed and must be really angry. I followed him outside. I don't know why but I just felt like following him would be the right thing to do instead of standing here amidst strangers. I found Landon outside standing near his car. He was looking intensely at his car, surely thinking how he failed to buy the palace. I wanted to reach out for him and say something to make him less furious and disappointed but I knew better than to go and talk to a man whose ego has just been badly bruised and was as dangerous as a wounded tiger.

Suddenly I felt something vibrating in the pocket of my pencil skirt. I retrieved my phone quickly and walked away from Landon to take the call. It was Saige.

"Hello." I answered.

"Evie. Lance is very sick. He is vomiting blood. His condition is deteriorating and he's calling for you. I've already called at your photoshoot and cancelled it. You just need to get here as quick as possible." Saige rambled, her voice trembling over the phone. "Evie I'm really scared to lose him. Please come soon, please." She said, seeming to be on the verge of crying and my heartbeat accelerated. Lance was probably waiting for my return and I did promise him that I would always be at his side whenever he's not feeling well.

(A/N) A little story time before the story continues: Evelyn had an orphanage and Lance was one of the abandoned children living there. Apparently after his mother gave birth to him, the doctors announced that Lance had trisomy 18 also called Edwards syndrome. His mother didn't want him anymore because she thought that he would be too "expensive" and "ugly" to live with her for the rest of their life, so she then gave him for adoption in an adoption center. Three years ago, when Evelyn was on a tour, promoting campaigns for the welfare of children all around the globe, she visited that adoption center and noticed him, probably because he was the only child to have trisomy there. They liked each other instantly and got along really well. Evelyn knew that she didn't want to leave him there. She felt they already shared a bond. Evelyn felt that he deserved more than this after a nurse over there told her how he ended in the adoption center. He was seven years old at that time when Evelyn met him. Her heart melted for him. It was then that our female protagonist decided to do something to help these children, and building a sophisticated orphanage seemed to be a brilliant idea. And now she could proudly say that her orphanage was one of the best ones in the state and Saige was one of the nursing assistants working over there.

"Stay calm, I'm coming. Have you called the doctors yet ?" I needed to get out of here real quick. I took a look at Landon. He was already angry and if I'd tell him to get me to the orphanage, he might snap at me and then we would end fighting and I didn't have time for that. I definitely had to get a taxi. I hoped that I find one outside the palace.

"The doctors are already with him. They are saying that Lance might not make it this time. Please Evie, please come here quickly." Saige pleaded over the phone.

"He'll be okay, Saige. Please don't panic, be calm and I'll be there in no time." I hang up.

Once I was outside the palace, I searched for a taxi. I shuffled down the street, my eyes flickering back and forth in search of a taxi. What the heck ! Not even one taxi was in sight. Oh my god ! I started getting restless as I find no taxi standby.

Someone pressed the honks behind me. Ian was behind me in his latest Audi.

"Get inside." He shouted from inside. Without wasting I ran to the side of the car and Ian, still inside his car, leaned in to open the door for me. Just as I was going to enter in the car, another vehicle came out of nowhere and swiftly stopped a few inches away from me, sandwiching me between Ian's and the other one.

To my horror, Landon emerged from the car, with an unreadable expression on his beautiful face. " Get inside Evelyn. Now." He said with an authoritative tone, staring at Ian. I froze instantly. The nerves in my brain started working overtime, trying to process everything that's happening right now.

Time froze. Both were eyeing each other dangerously.

"Go with him, Evie. I'll come to meet you tomorrow." Ian said, smirking at Landon. He continued. "He's already having a bad day. I don't want to make it worse by taking another precious possession of his, " said Ian with a hint of sarcasm.

I decided it was best for me to ignore that part because I wanted to be near Lance as soon as possible

" Get in the car, Evelyn, now." Landon said and I mumbled a 'bye' quickly at Ian before closing the door of his car. I made my way towards Landon's BMW and got inside without wasting time. Landon also got inside and drove speedily, overtaking Ian's Audi. An uncomfortable silence settled between me and Landon. He looked pissed off. And honestly, I was also a bit pissed off because of his authoritative behavior and at the same time I was nervous since I have to tell him to drop me at the orphanage. Looking outside, I saw a range of taxis near a commercial centre.

" Please stop the car, Mr Mckendrick. I can go from here." I said to Landon.

"But your workplace is too far from here. You'll be late if you go by taxi." Landon said sparring me a look.

"No... Actually, I have to go to my orphanage. One of the kids over there is really sick and I have to get there as soon as possible but it's okay if you have some important work to do and can't drop me at the orphan-"

Landon interrupted me from rambling anymore. "I will drop you at the orphanage and I'm free right now. I don't have anything important to do afterwards."

I nodded even though he didn't look at me.

From time to time Saige's panicked voice echoed in my mind, making me even more worried for Lance. My heart was beating so fast that I think I might end up having a heart attack. I was feeling very restless. As if something bad was going to happen and I just hope it wasn't related with Lance.

"Thank you. I'll give you the direction onward." I looked at him. He had put on his black sunglasses because his face was towards the blinding sunshine. He threw a glance at me. "Are you alright ? You're looking so pale." Landon queried. I was so nervous I thought I'm gonna throw up. I could feel sweat beading on my forehead and my heart was still pounding.

"Can you drive a little faster, please ?" Words were refusing to get out of my mouth let alone my voice. Astonishingly, Landon just nodded without getting furious over me ordering him. He accelerated, overtaking other vehicles smoothly and flawlessly. Although I should appreciate him for taking me safely and quickly to the orphanage, that was least of my concerns. I was really worried for Lance. I hope he gets better. Although it wasn't less of a miracle for Lance living up to ten years with the Edwards syndrome, I prayed for another miracle for him today. To make him live more. I felt tears being welled in my eyes. All the memories spent with Lance came in front of my eyes like a slideshow. My heart sank whenever an image of him smiling came in my mind. He wasn't any kid. He was my kid, a part of my soul and heart.

I was so lost in a train of thoughts that I actually forgot to give Landon the directions and I only realized that when Landon turned off the engine in the parking lot of my orphanage. He must have got the directions from his GPS.

Lance.

I had to go to him right now. I quickly removed my seatbelt and got out of the car, leaving Landon behind. I ran inside the building, rushed on the stairs and without knocking, I opened the door of Lance's room. Lance was surrounded with doctors and Saige was sitting on a couch beside Lance's room, worried. As soon as she saw me, she ran to me and hugged me. "I'm very scared, Evie. Please tell Lance will okay. Please ?" Saige pleaded. I wish that I had that assurance myself.

"He'll be okay, Saige. He'll be okay." I reassured her, rubbing her back. I moved closer to Lance and saw blood stains on his clothes. He looked weak and fragile. The doctors were questioning and patiently waiting for him to answer because Lance was mentally retarded. His communication skills had indeed improved over the years by interacting with the other children frequently.

Someone softly knocked on the door and Landon's head poked in. I opened the door for him to enter and apologized for leaving him behind. He just nodded his head. Soon Lance drifted to sleep. The doctors, Landon and I came outside the room to talk about Lance's health.

"Before I say anything about Lance's condition Miss Nolan, I want to congratulate you for accompanying, caring and loving him all these years. Till now, there is a very small amount of children with this disease who have been able to live up to this age. So it is not less than a miracle for him for him to live up to ten years, Miss Nolan." One of the doctors spoke with extreme politeness. Maybe because he was trying to soften the blow that I was going to get soon. "We're sorry Miss Nolan. We don't think that Lance will be able to make it this time. His state of health is deteriorating at a very quick pace. His body is even rejecting all the medications that are being given to him. We're deeply sorry Miss Nolan but Lance has very little time with him. There's nothing we can do to save him."

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from bursting into tears and lowered my head. I closed my eyes tightly but a tear still managed to escape. It felt like time remained still and there was an extremely painful pang in my heart. It was very painful. As if someone was stabbing daggers in my heart multiple time. My heart was aching so much that it became difficult for me to breathe. I felt nauseated with so much emotions and pain. My head was throbbing with pain and I didn't realise I was falling until I felt a pair of warm arms around me and then, everything went completely black.