The Billionaire Doctor's Distraction

AWARD CEREMONY

They arrived at Bostrite Hall early and chose a table with a clear view of the stage. As soon as they were seated, Jesse brought out a bottle of Bacardi's Extra Rare Gold Rum and eyed Asher as he poured himself a drink. "Mind joining me?"

"No thanks. You know I can't hold my alcohol."

"But tonight's special. You should celebrate."

"I insist." Asher glanced around the filling hall.

"Looking for someone?" Jesse asked.

"Casper. He said he'd be early so we could take some photos before nightfall."

"Maybe he's caught in traf—" Jesse stopped mid-sentence. "Well, now you don't have to wait anymore."

"What do you mean?" Asher asked, and Jesse jerked his head toward the entrance. Casper had just entered. Asher shot up from her seat excitedly, but she'd only taken two steps when she halted.

A girl was on Casper's arm. She recovered from the shock and maneuvered her way to him, moving between several people because the hall was getting filled now.

When she got near, she recognized the girl as Brielle, Casper's coursemate back in school.

"Casper," she managed a smile, but the excitement in her voice was gone.

"Hi," he said dismissively. He wanted to say more but Brielle elbowed him. She disengaged from Casper's arm and smiled brightly as she extended her hand to Asher for a handshake.

"Hi, congratulations on winning the award."

Asher looked at the proffered hand for a while before she shook it. "Thank you."

"Hope you don't mind, I met Casper just outside and he offered to escort me in. He's such a sweet guy." She tried to explain their appearance together.

As if you can't manage on your own, Asher thought. She didn't want to be seen as obsessive, so she just waved it off. "It's okay."

"Thanks. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to find my friends." Brielle left them alone.

Asher made to hug Casper but he held her back. "You'll stain my suit with lipstick and makeup."

He was actually right because he wore a light grey suit and any stain would be obvious on it. She pointed to their table. "Jesse and I are seated over there. Would you like to join us?"

"No." His voice was cold. "I prefer staying at the back."

She searched his eyes. "Casper, is something wrong?"

"Nothing." He started moving in the direction Brielle had gone before she could ask more questions.

Asher dragged her feet sadly as she went back. She heard the MC tap the microphone and clear his voice to announce the arrival of the chief guest.

Jesse already knew what was responsible for Asher's dampened expression as she came back to take her seat, her eyes darting around to locate where Casper sat.

"Stop obsessing over that boy. I'll get you a date before this party ends." Jesse handed her one of the two glasses of Baileys Original Irish Cream he'd grabbed from a passing server. "Drink this and cheer up."

When Asher sniffed it suspiciously, he laughed. "You think I'll poison you or something? It's clean."

Asher smiled. "Why is it I don't trust you, my dear friend?"

"Okay then." He exchanged the glasses. "Just to assure you, I'll give you mine."

Asher sniffed it again. "What's it made of?"

"Malt, chocolate, and cream," Jesse answered.

Asher sipped a little and could taste the cream and chocolate. It gave her a velvety mouthfeel, so she drained the entire glass. "It's smooth. I like it." She reached out to grab the other glass but Jesse stopped her.

"That's okay for now. We don't want to have you swaying to the stage when you're called upon."

"And why would that happen?"

"Take one more glass and find out." Jesse laughed, eyes glinting with mischief.

Asher's eyes widened in realization. "Oh no!" She frowned. "You just fed me alcohol!"

Jesse laughed as he dodged a blow from Asher. "It's just for you to relax. You'll be okay."

Asher turned away from him and focused on the stage.

* * *

The black Mercedes pulled to a halt a few feet from the glittering hall entrance. Johan Cole remained seated, eyes narrowing at the lit building.

"I still don't understand why Burgh insisted on meeting here," he said, jaw tight.

Gilbert adjusted his glasses from the passenger seat. "He's one of the sponsors of the event, so he had to be present. He said he'd only have time to talk if we came here."

Johan scoffed. "So we'll be negotiating millions in funding in the middle of some school event?"

"We need this funding badly," Gilbert reminded him. "Project Heartbeat can't go into prototype without that capital. We've already burnt through the initial R&D budget."

Johan didn't need reminding. He knew all too well what the funds would do for their new product. The neuro-regenerative device could change everything for CNext.

But everything in him resisted going in there. He hated the noise and the crowd. He'd spent the last two years building walls between himself and the world, focusing solely on work. Crowds meant questions, and social complications he didn't have time for.

"I'm not walking into that zoo," Johan muttered, resting his head back against the seat. "Find the man and bring him outside. I'll speak to him here."

Gilbert hesitated. "And if he insists you come in?"

Johan wanted to say "screw him," but the thought of their product being unable to reach the market stopped him. How many people could they help if this deal went through? How many people struggling with neuromuscular degeneration could get their lives back?

He opened the car door and stepped out. Gilbert followed.

Johan adjusted his suit, listening faintly to the thrum of music and laughter leaking from the venue. He swore softly. "If he fails to invest after putting me through this ordeal, I'll make him smell hades."

Gilbert smiled and led the way. As they got closer to the back entrance, Johan told Gilbert, "I'll stay outside until you locate him."

Johan leaned his shoulder against the wall, arms crossed. He had a clear view of everything happening inside through the glass doors. The awardees had received their awards and were making their way back to their seats.

Good timing, he thought. Surely Burgh wouldn't wait for the after-party. As if on cue, he saw Gilbert coming toward him with Burgh in tow. They went to the car park to discuss.

* * *

Asher felt ecstatic receiving her award. She was amazed that she wasn't even conscious of people's stares. The weight of the crystal trophy in her hands felt real and erased the worry that had been building in her since the fallout with her dad.

"Let's celebrate!" Jesse dragged her to the dance floor but Asher hesitated.

"I feel giddy. I think the alcohol is getting into my system already."

Jesse would have none of it. "I'll be holding you, baby. You can't fall. Trust me."

“I shouldn't, knowing you poisoned me a while ago.” Asher retorted before letting him take the lead.

As the music swelled around them, Jesse's hand was warm and solid at the small of her back, anchoring her as the room tilted slightly. The alcohol had loosened that coil of self-consciousness in her, so that when Jesse pulled her closer, she went willingly.

Asher's hips found the beat, swaying in time with Jesse's movements. The heat of other dancers pressed close around them, the air thick with perfume and sweat. Jesse spun her, and Asher laughed.

When the music stopped, the abrupt silence was broken only by breathless laughter and the shuffle of feet as dancers separated, some heading for the bar, others lingering in clusters. Jesse's hands slipped away from Asher's waist, leaving cool spots where warmth had been.

They were heading back to their seat when she heard Jesse gasp and turn her in another direction.

Asher craned her neck to look at the source of the surprise, and her legs turned to stone, rooting her to that exact spot on the floor while her mind scrambled to make sense of what her eyes were showing her.