Love Me, Mr Billionaire

CHAPTER 3-THE DESPAIR

Cassian yawned, glancing at his wrist watch as the meeting with the board of directors progressed. He had been reluctant to attend this meeting after going through the most gruelling day with Ronald Delacroix. Delacroix might be a mean son of a b***h but he had a vision and their business with each other was going to be a mutually beneficial one. He thought of Maxine and how she barely understood their relationship, and smiled. He tugged on his tie. He had to go home to his wife and children.

“We've provided updates on our financial results, strategic alliances, and new drug development pipeline. Could you begin with the R&D report, Dr. Ackerman,” Victor Harding, the Chairperson of the meeting spoke, commanding the air in the room.

Cassian found himself internally deadpanning. He did not like Ackerman. He was too greedy.

“Of course, Mr. Harding,” Ackerman said, the persistent smirk on his face more annoying than ever. “Phase III trials are about to begin for our most recent medication, an Alzheimer's treatment. Early findings indicate a considerable improvement in cognitive function, which is encouraging. Furthermore, our biotech business has advanced gene editing tools, potentially leading to novel treatment directions.”

“CFO?” Harding said, staring pointedly at the withered man in a blue suit sitting opposite him.

“Yes, yes,” the CFO, Allen Wakefield spoke horridly, aiming to impress. “Financially speaking, we had a successful quarter. Our immunology and oncology areas had higher sales, which contributed to a 12% increase in revenue. But because of our larger pipeline, our R&D expenses have climbed by 20%, so we need to keep a careful eye on them.”

“Dr. Ackerman and our CFO, thank you. Let's talk about our strategic alliances now. Could you give us an update on our partnership with GenTech, Mr. Cassian?”Cassian, who had been zoning out for most of the meeting frowned at the mention of his name. “What?”

“GenTech,” Victor Harding said loudly.

Cassian's phone came on and he stared at the phone. He had eight missed calls. Four were from his sister-in-law, Cameron and the others were from his nanny. What was this about?

He stared at his wrist watch and stood up quickly. “Gentlemen,” he said. “I'm sorry but I have to excuse myself from this meeting. I'll send a report of my progress with GenTech through my secretary. Thank you.”

Before he could listen to the protests from the members of the meeting, he dashed out of the conference room and headed to the elevator.

The drive home was quick. He dialed Cameron's number but it went to voicemail while Maxine's did not go through at all. When he finally got to the nanny, the one whose name he remembered was Reyna, she was not coherent. Worried, he had driven very fast while his security followed closely behind. It was not long before he was in front of the huge gates that introduced him to his mansion.

“Hello!” he called as soon as he was inside the house. He looked up the grand stairs and after a minute, he saw Elijah skipping down towards him, a wide smile on his face.

“Daddy! Daddy's home!”

“Hey, little man!” He bent down, swung him up into his arms, and planted a kiss on his son's cheek, looking surprised to see him. He nestled his cheek against his, his arms encircling his neck. “Where's mommy?”

“She went out, daddy. She said that I should be a good boy to Ms. Reyna until you got back.”

“Okay. Was Piper a good girl today?”

Elijah shook his small head. “No, daddy. She cried all the time and made mommy sad.”

Cassian smiled trying not to show how much he was affected by hearing that Piper had cried all day. He walked further into the house and saw Reyna on the floor playing with Piper and a bunch of toys. Seeing Cassian, Reyna got up immediately and wiped her hands on her dress.

“Welcome, Mr. Cassian,” she said.

“Thank you, Reyna. Are you the only one watching the kids?”

“No, Mr. Cassian. Jenny is here too.”

Cassian nodded. “You called four times. Why?”

Reyna looked down at her feet and then at him. “It was because I was worried about Mrs. Casssian.”

“Why?”

“She left in such a hurry. She looked...”Reyna swallowed. “She was also with a bag. The type you take on trips.”

Cassian frowned. “With a bag? Where would she be going with a bag?”

When Reyna did not answer, he pulled out his phone and dialed Maxine's number again. It rang for some seconds and then went to voicemail.

“Mr. Cassian, it is not my place, but I think that you should consider having us stay the night so that both of you can sleep.”

“I've heard you, Reyna,” Cassian said. “Thank you.”

He tried Maxine's number again and it went to voicemail. “Hi, Max,” he said. “I just got home and you were not here so I'm wondering where you are. Call me as soon as you get this. Love you.”

“The kids have been fed and bathed,” Reyna said. “The chef made spaghetti carbonara with chicken stir-fry. I can tell her to make something else if you're not in the mood for that.”

“It's okay,” Cassian said. “I'll just go upstairs and shower. I'll eat when my wife gets back.”

He began to feel anxious after showering and coming downstairs to play with the kids and Maxine was not still back. Although Elijah was reluctant to go to bed before Maxine got home, he fell asleep on the couch while holding her beloved green blanket. Cassian carried Elijah upstairs to his room and tucked him into bed and even he came downstairs again, Piper had fallen asleep in Reyna's arms. He then carefully lifted his daughter, took her to his bedroom and placed her down in her cot, turning on the baby monitor so he would hear her if she awakened.

Cassian was starting to feel both irritated and nervous by this point. Where had Maxine disappeared to? She must have known that Elijah would want her at bedtime. He looked again at his phone, but there were no messages. If anything, she should have contacted him to let him know she was alright.

He dialed Cameron's number again and it rang. She answered on the second ring.

“Cassian,” she said breathlessly. “Thank God. I've been trying to reach you.”

“What's wrong? Your sister went out and I've been trying to reach her all evening.”

Cameron was quiet for a minute. “Cassian, she called me and was crying and ranting and saying a whole lot of things I couldn't understand. Is everything okay between you two?”

Cassian ran a hand through his hair. He thought about this morning. They had not fought or argued about anything today. Or even lately. Yes, she had been tired and distant lately, but it was just the stress from work and the kids. Or was there more?

“What exactly did she say, Cameron?”

“I didn't get a lot,” Cameron said. “All I got was that she was taking a break from you and the kids. That she was exhausted.”

Cassian quickly remembered that Reyna had said that Maxine had left with a bag. The type you take on trips. Where had she gone to? He held the phone tightly. “Where is she right now?”

“Cassian she told me not to tell you anything, but I'm worried. She's going back home.”

“Home?”

“Yes, Pennsylvania. She's going back there.”

“Why? What's in Pennsylvania? Your parents...”

“Yes, my father is dead and my mother is in Connecticut. But you know who else lives in Pennsylvania?”

Cassian thinks for a minute before it clicks. “Wheeler. Lucas Wheeler lives in Pennsylvania.”

“I'm so sorry, Cassian. She told me that she's just visiting and she'll be back and...”

Cassian ended the call with his sister-in-law. He dialed Maxine's number again, his hands shaking as he punched in each digit. It rang and then went to voicemail.

“Maxine, where are you? Please, call me. I'm begging you. At least let me know that you're fine. Please. Think of our kids. Please.”

He sat on the couch, wishing that darn phone would ring as he gazed at it. He recalled the last time he had seen her early that morning, curled up in their bed, warm and sleeping soundly, his name whispered in her sleep after he had kissed her.

Why was she going to Lucas Wheeler? He was her childhood best friend but she had stayed away from him after he had let her know that he was not very fond of the way Lucas looked at her. Like she was something to be devoured, coveted too. He had hated it. And now, she was driving 3 hours to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, back to a life she had long left behind.

He shook his head. She must have realized how much the kids and he needed her, or else she wouldn't have just up and left without saying anything to him. Certainly, she wouldn't abandon him to handle two agitated kids by himself? Or would she?

He marched to their walk in closet and then went to her corner of the closet. Everything was a mess. The Hermès traveling bag she had gotten for their trip to Aspen last year was missing. Some of her clothes and underwear were missing too. She was really gone.

His wife had left him.