Page 129 of Billion-Dollar Attitudes

"Yep, that's what I'm telling you. But you won't believe where I'm staying. I had to move out of town. I have my own Cassa Palacious...this place is huge..."

“Wow, your new place sounds amazing.” I paused and swallowed slowly. “Guy, I wish I could come home for Christmas. I mean, back to San Diego. I'll finish my book soon, and Marcie will be happy... probably ready for me to be on my way. She's been so sweet, but..."

"No way! Ariel. It isn't safe here until...."

"Guy, that might take forever. You know, for them to find out who’s behind all this."

"I know. Maybe we can come up with a plan... "Guy grinned and winked.

"Oh, I’ve got to go. The nurse just came in...."

"I miss you, beautiful. Get well soon. Let's connect again in a few days." He blew me a kiss, and I did the same back to him before the screen went dark.

"Hmmm, he's cute!" Karen, my nurse, clucked her tongue.

Chapter Twenty

Guy

It wasn't a surprise to me when Marcie called early the next morning, telling me Ariel's condition had worsened during the night. Not because of her infection — Ariel was barely talking and refusing to eat. And the doctors were concerned and ordered a psychological exam. Marcie also confessed that she searched Ariel's phone for anything that might give them clues about what caused her decline and noticed I had called. "I thought maybe you could help us understand Ariel's situation better." Marcie sounded irritable.

I told her what I knew, which wasn't much, and that Ariel had first tried to deny she was in the hospital and finally admitted she had her appendix out. And I had given her an update on my case. "But Ariel didn't want to talk long, saying she was tired."

Marcie was quiet for a few moments before she sighed and said, "She told you she had her appendix out, right?

"Yes, that's what she said."

"Thank you, Guy, for your help with this." Marcie's voice was kinder now.

"Is there anything I can do? Anything at all?" I asked.

"Just keep being Ariel's friend. I think that's what she needs right now."

As Marcie ended the call, I texted my friends to tell them I needed a break. Even though I didn't really want anyone to know where I was going for obvious reasons, or maybe because paranoia had gotten the best of me, deep down I knew they would understand if I disappeared for a few days. Working remotely wasn't an issue either — I could easily do it from wherever. With that final thought in mind, Expedia was immediately Googled, and I booked a flight to London before I had a chance to talk myself out of the trip.

I was sure something was wrong with Ariel, though I couldn't put my finger on it. It might have been the news about Chelsea, but there was more to it... or so my intuition told me. And I certainly didn't believe her story about having her appendix removed. So, the least I could do was try to find out what was really going on and help however I could.

A few hours later, I found myself seated in first class, gazing upon the clouds as they rolled below us. I was on my way to see Ariel and, hopefully, get some answers. But what was she trying to hide?

Reclining my seat, I couldn't help but notice a young woman sitting in a nearby cubicle had a blanket draped over her chest as she nursed her child. Mesmerized, I tried not to stare and come off like some pervert, but something about that scene drew me in. The woman peeked under the blanket and smiled down at her baby. The baby, in turn, moved a tiny hand from under the cover and clutched the finger of the mother. Swaying slowly back and forth in her seat, I could hear her singing softly to her child. I wondered what it would be like to have someone that needed me in such a profound way. Someone who would love me unconditionally.

The last time I was in a serious relationship was over two years ago. It ended suddenly, and it hurt — a lot. Of course, I denied it to the guys and even made fun of myself. It took me a long time to heal, and I wasn't sure I ever really had. The truth was, I was scared to open myself up to that kind of pain again. So instead, I threw myself into empty relationships and worked hard to help build up our successful business. It was my way of proving to the world — and to myself — that I didn't need anyone.

Maybe my sister Meagan was always trying to find the perfect person for me because she could sense my pain. Or maybe not! We never really talked about it, but either way, she would never admit it to me if that were the case. So I guessed that was just our relationship. Shrugging mentally, I turned my attention back to the nearby cubicle.

As I watched that mother with her child, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. And for the first time in a long time, I found myself longing for something more.

I initially believed Ariel's appeal originated from an unfulfilled sexual desire I had for her when she was younger. However, I soon realized there was more to it than just sex when I found out she was a virgin and trusted me to be her first in a no strings attached relationship. And those thoughts and feelings had been frozen in time — due to that bitch Chelsea. Not to mention there were no leads on Meagan's kidnapping. And no matter how hard she tried, my sister still couldn't remember a thing about the kidnapping other than opening her door and someone pressing a smelly rag against her face. Unfortunately, there was no surveillance video of the incident.

When the flight attendant handed me a tray of baked duck and steaming veggies, I snapped out of my trance long enough to notice the mother was asleep. Her infant was securely tucked inside the child carrier.... or whatever you called those things.

"What would you like to drink with your meal?" the attendant asked, handing me the drink menu.

"Sparkling water will be fine."

While eating my delicious meal, I realized it had been a while since I had eaten something other than carryout. So, I savored every bite. My eyes soon drifted back to the young woman and her child, then I glanced around. I couldn't see a father or anyone else that might be traveling with the two.

Admittedly, it was difficult to see everyone in the first-class cabin the way the cubicles were positioned. Still, I couldn't help but wonder what their circumstances were. Was she a single mom? Was she divorced or widowed? What would her future look like?

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