The Billionaire And The Doctor

THE ULTIMATE POWER PLAY

Christian

"Dude, you've got to be kidding," Jake says, his voice laced with disbelief as I pull onto the highway.

I smiled, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. "You know I've never been one to kid around when I want something, Jake."

"I know, but this is a little extra... like crazy extra," Jake replies, his eyes wide with surprise. "And how does buying the hospital get her to finally talk with you? That's not even a romantic gesture, Christian. That's just... wow."

I chuckle, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Simple, Jake. When I buy the hospital, I'll ask for a personal meeting with their best doctor because I want to put my mother in the best medical hands. They'll give me a meeting with her, and we'll talk."

Jake shakes his head, his expression skeptical. "If you somehow manage to buy the hospital, she seems like a very stubborn woman. What if she refuses to have any discussion that's not medical with you? You're not even a patient, Christian."

I frown, realizing I hadn't thought of that. "I shrugged. When we get there, we'll cross that bridge. I'll figure something out."

Jake bursts out laughing. "The fact that you immediately thought about this plan in the blink of an eye... wow. You really are crazy about her, Christian. I've never seen you like this before."

I laughed, feeling a sense of excitement. "Yeah, I guess I am. I can't stop thinking about her, Jake. I need to make this work."

Jake raises an eyebrow. "You're really willing to buy a hospital just to talk to her? That's... extreme, even for you, Christian."

I nodded, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Yes, I am. I need to show her that I'm serious about getting to know her. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen."

Jake shakes his head, a smile still on his face. "You're something else, Christian. I hope it works out for you, man. You're really putting it all on the line for this one."

I smile, feeling a sense of determination. "It will, Jake. I'll make sure of it. I'm not going to let this opportunity slip away."

We continue driving, the conversation flowing easily as we discuss the plan and all its possible outcomes. I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and assurance as I think about the possibilities. I know it's a long shot, but I'm willing to take the risk. I need to take the risk. I need to show Ashley that I'm serious about her, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make 'us' happen.

Ashley

I cannot believe Christian almost beat Mark up. To be honest, it was kinda hot. Poor Mark, he looks really annoyed.

"Mark, I'm really sorry about what happened," I said, trying to apologize.

Mark shrugs. "It's cool, Ashley. I'm just glad he didn't actually hit me."

I'm still confused as to why he kissed me, and hoping it's not what I think it is. I asked the burning question in my mind.

"Mark, why did you kiss me?"

He shakes his head and pauses, then turns to me. "Isn't it obvious, Ashley? I'm in love with you. I've been in love with you for the past three years, ever since I started working at this hospital. You and the kids have been the only thing that has made me quite happy. I knew you would never see me as more than a friend when I tried throwing you multiple hints that I liked you, but you never saw them. I guess today I just got tired of waiting on the sidelines." He sighs. "But apparently, it was a bad idea because you already have a boyfriend that you somehow seemed to never mention during all our talks."

I'm still reeling from the fact that he has liked me for three years, and I never knew. How did I never know? I wonder. To me, he always seemed like he always just wanted to be friends, but three years?

I shook my head. "He's not my boyfriend, Mark. He's that patient I told you about."

Mark laughs. "Oh wow, I should have known. He's the only guy you've talked about in a non-professional way forever."

I tried to defend myself. "That's not true!"

He scoffs. "Name one guy you've been remotely interested in the last three years since I've known you."

I think, but I can't actually remember. Wow, have I actually been single for so long? I say in my head.

"Mark, I never knew...," I tried to say.

He cuts me off. "It doesn't matter, Ashley. Even if you had known, what would you have done? If I asked you out right now, would you say yes?"

I keep quiet, knowing he's right. I've only ever viewed him as a friend and nothing more.

He sighs sadly. "It's fine, Ashley. At least you have finally found a guy you like."

I frowned. "What makes you think I like him?"

He smiles. "I know you, Ashley. You would have told him off forever if you didn't like him. The reason you gave him was not solid, and if he had waited till the end of your shift, you probably would have talked to him. Plus, look me in the eye and tell me you don't like him in any way, especially after the first conversation we had about him."

I sigh, knowing he's right again. I do like Christian, but I don't want to get involved with drama.

"It's fine, Ashley. You'll figure it out," Mark says, putting his hands around my shoulder. "Now let's go back and get some ice cream to celebrate your future relationship."

I laughed, grateful for him lightening the mood.

After the ice cream, I finish my rounds in the hospital and wait for Mark, who insists on driving me home every day after work. He drops me off at home, and I thank him for the ride and for being a great friend. He smiles sadly and tells me no problem.

As I take a shower and get ready for bed, I can't help but think about the almost kiss with Christian. I wonder what it would have felt like to have his lips on mine. Those thoughts linger in my mind as I drift off to sleep.

The next morning, I got ready and headed to the hospital, still thinking about Christian. Mark greets me at the entrance, and we walk into the hospital together. He asks me if I've heard about the change of ownership of the hospital, and I'm surprised. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"Apparently, the hospital has been privatized by a rich dude who wants to remain anonymous, so we have a new boss," Mark explains.

I'm shocked. "Wow, that's huge! Can they do that without informing the employees first?"

Mark is about to answer when Grace comes into my office and tells me the head office wants to see me. My heart started racing as I exchanged glances with Mark. The head office only calls in employees when they want to fire them.

Mark pats me on the shoulder. "Don't worry, it'll be okay."

I took a deep breath and headed to the head office, trying to calm my nerves. As I approached the office, Mrs. Rose comes out and greets me. "Oh Ashley, you're just in time. Our new boss would like to have a word with our best doctor."

I release a sigh of relief, thinking I'm not in trouble after all. "Oh, thank God," I say aloud.

Mrs. Rose laughs. "It's fine, dear. He wanted to put his mother in the best medical hands, so I told him about her. So don't be nervous, okay?"

With that, she steps aside, and I take a deep breath and open the door. The person sitting in the boss's chair on the other side of the door has me confused.

Our new boss is Christian?