The Billionaire’s own

LUELLA POV “I asked to have more cheese on my pizza please,” I stated to the unwilling attendant as she stretched her hand to take the pizza box away from me. Fridays are always one of those days where I take a stop at my favorite pizza place and get a box of pizza before heading home but today they seemed to have hired a new waiter who was rude and I would be going to see my Mom at the hospital. “Hey Ella, I'm sorry about Sophie- she’s new and the only person who can take Josh's place at the moment.” Sarah apologized holding up another box. I smiled at her and rose to my feet. “Its fine, we all have our bad days,” I commented, not in the mood to converse about the mean waitress today. “Thank you Sarah,” As I turned to leave, Sarah grabbed my arm, holding me from moving. “How's mum?” Sarah was aware of my mother's condition since she saw me at the hospital the other day. “She’s good- I guess. I’m going to see her.” “Send my regards to her, would you?” “I sure will, thank you, Sarah.” She pulled me in a quick hug and returned behind the doors. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. The fluorescent lights cast a steady glow on the medical staff as they move through the halls and attend to patients, with the sounds of beeping monitors and constant conversations creating a constant hum. I walked through the hall and headed to the ICU. I was greeted with the scents of antiseptics as I stepped in the room. I saw my mom figure on the bed and it brought back memories and I remembered asking her not to go while she had to leave town to go see her own mother. I was 5 years old then and didn't want to stay behind with Aunt Lottie. FLASHBACK “Mom , Mom,” My tiny little voice cried out rubbing the side of my cheeks while the cold hit my bare face. “What’s wrong, honey?” She asked me to kneel to see my red face. “Don’t go , Mom- momm- my, Please-” I held on to her, not willing to let her go. “Luella ….”, She sighed. “Why are you so worried?” She wiped my damp light brown curls from my face. “Well you're’ going’ a-away to see gran gran and I don’t want to stay with A- au-unt Lo- lottie,” I replied with a sniffle. “Don’t worry,” she said. “ You’ll be fine and I'll be back before you know it. Auntie Lottie also bought snacks for you, your favorite.” END OF FLASHBACK As I stepped into the room where Mum stayed, I exhaled under my breath and my eyes leveled with the woman who had been with me since the very first day. She was the most selfless person I had ever met and because of the sacrifices she had made for me, I was willing to do everything in my power to provide for her also. Her health started deteriorating after dad died in a car crash and even though I had been caught up in my own grief of losing my father, I didn't think how much it was going to affect mum since she had lost her best friend, the man she had sworn to spend the rest of her life with. “Hey Elle, didn’t think you were coming in so soon.” Abigail, one of the head nurses, greeted me as she stepped into the room. “Yeah, I got off work a bit early today so I decided to come in right away,” I answered with a small shrug. “Oh that’s lovely, you’re a good daughter Elle, your mother is lucky to have someone like you.” but in reality, i was the one who was lucky to have someone like her. “You have something to eat yet?” “Yeah-” “I don’t mean greasy food, I mean a full healthy meal with good nourishment.” Abigail interrupted and I raised the tote bag which housed the pack of pizza. “Okay, well come, lets go to the eating lounge- i think i might have something you may like and we can talk.” My gaze shifted to my mother and Abigail gently touched my arm. “She was awake like ten minutes ago, and is currently on sedatives- she won’t be awake until the next two hours. She needs to rest and you need some light, a lot of light.” Abigail always had her way with her words and I followed her out of the room to the eating lounge. She greeted a couple of her work mates with a warm smile. “So, how is work going?” She asked as we found a spot at the corner, close to the window with enough space from everybody. “It's going great, I mean- its tiring with the new quarter coming to an end but it's okay. I mean its better than not having a job at all.” She nodded and opened up her lunch bag which she passed to me and my heart melted at the content. “Abigail-” “Come on Elle, you deserve it- besides I've been dying to have pizza for a while now so let's call it a fair trade.” She mused and I chuckled. “Have you seen Doctor Gary yet?” “No, i haven't seen him- i forgot that he asked me to come to his office once i got here-” i groaned rubbing in between my brows. I held myself from moaning loudly at the taste of the food. “This is so good Abigail.” “ Thank you, my husband actually made it for me.” She stated and I wanted to feel bad for having her meal. “Trust me he will be happy that someone else enjoyed his cooking. Speaking of Dr. Gary, I guess you’ll have to see him now.” she stated and i followed her line of vision. In his white coat and scrubs, he did look like that doctor children would love around them but from the way his eyes dimmed as he smiled at me, I knew something was up. “Luelle, nice to see you eating well.” he greeted. “Abigail, great to see you finally having pizza-” “What can I say? Luelle is my current savior.” “Can I speak to you in my office?” Dr. Gary asked as he turned to me and swallowed, losing all appetite of my meal. “Uh- ye- yeah sure.” Dr. Gary office was cold and even with my cotton sweater vest, it was impossible to keep the cold from attacking me, i had crossed my legs but my nerve was getting the best of me so i uncrossed and as i stared back at the Doctor who was staring at his screen, my knees bounced in its place. “Luelle.” He called. “Yes?” “Your mother is quite stable compared to two days ago and that is a great improvement on her end.” he started out and my fingers clawed on the arms of the chair waiting for the rest of it. “For us to make sure she’s stable, we are going to need to have surgery on her. It's the best way to control the rate at which she responds to everything we administer to her.” Surgery. That's great, right? “And? There's more of it, right?” “Yes, and this is going to be the best decision to make Luelle.” “How much is it going to cost?” My own words were heavy in my mouth. “About fifteen thousand dollars.” …………