Nathan’s POV

Oh, shut up! I thought to myself. Why do they need to keep emphasizing the company's potential? I don’t care. I’m buying the company to break it up. As of tomorrow, Blake Industries will cease to exist. Don’t people understand that’s what I do? I swear if I hear the word potential one more time…

“Dr. Michaels,” my PA spoke, “Are you in agreement?” He nodded slowly and inconspicuously.

“Yes,” I responded. “It was nice doing business with you, gentlemen.” We shook hands. Thank God that was over.

Samuel, my PA, followed me out the door. He advised me of all the upcoming appointments for the next day.

“I’ve cleared your schedule for the rest of this afternoon. Mr. Michaels is requesting your presence at the hospital.

I sighed, “Tell him I’ll be there in half an hour.”

My grandfather’s requests were never to be ignored. Even in his old age, he continued to demand respect from everyone around him. He was a powerhouse, and everyone in the finance sector and beyond knew it.

I wonder what he wants this time. I thought to myself as I climbed into the back seat of my limousine. It was probably to scold me again about not being married. Honestly, I was only 25 years old; what was the rush? I was single and having fun, lots of fun. I had only ever had one serious relationship, but I was young and unprepared for commitment. Why would I shackle myself to one woman when there was a smorgasbord of flavors to taste, and boy, did I have a huge appetite? I smirked, thinking about the brunette I had left at the hotel the night before. She had the perkiest round tits of any woman I’ve ever been with. She was the type of girl that I was almost willing to break my rule over, almost. I never slept with the same woman twice. It saved the hassle of them getting attached or needy. I didn’t want my life to get messy.

Marcus, my driver, pulled me out of my thoughts by announcing that we had arrived at the hospital.

“I shouldn’t be more than an hour, Marcus. I’ll message you if I’m going to be longer.”

“Yes, sir. See you in an hour.”

I headed towards the cafe in the hospital lobby to grab my grandfather his large dark roast coffee and chuckled as I heard in my head. “Nathaniel, don’t think about stepping into this room without my coffee.” He was a demanding older man, but I loved him more than anyone.

Standing in line, I glanced around the café, taking in the people as they went about their daily business. My heart stopped. Who is that?

In the corner, tucked away at a small table, was a woman. No, not a woman. A goddess. Even though she was slouched over and crying, she was stunningly beautiful. My cock sprang to attention. She took my breath away. Long, luxurious, dark chestnut curly hair pulled back in a ponytail. Creamy, pale skin that begged to be caressed. She wore a Columbia hoody and leggings, but I could tell a prize was hidden underneath them. Her angelic face was tear-stained, and when she looked up with her big brown eyes, my heart broke for her. Why was she so sad? I felt compelled to walk over to her when my thought was interrupted.

“Next,” the barista yelled.

“Sorry,” I said as I moved forward.

The barista swooned at the sight of me. It was nothing I hadn’t faced countless times. I was good-looking, I knew that. Women threw themselves at me all the time. It had come to the point that I would be more shocked if they didn’t flirt.

“I’ll have a large dark roast coffee, black, please.”

“Yes, sir.” She said, batting her eyelashes at me, “Can I get you anything else? Anything…at…all?” She pushed her chest forward and bit her lip.

“No, that’s everything, thank you.”

A pout appeared on her lips, and she scurried off to pour the coffee.

While waiting, I turned to catch another glimpse of the saddened goddess, and an empty table greeted me.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Who was she, and where did she go?

Nathan’s POV

As I pressed the elevator button to head to the VIP ward, I still thought about the beautiful goddess I had seen in the café. Why didn’t I approach her right away? I blew that chance. I sigh and run my hand through my hair.

My grandfather’s room was the largest on the private VIP floor. Corner room, of course. Just like his office at Michaels Investment Group. It would be my office one day, but it is now vacant. Carrington Michaels had a larger-than-life persona. Everything he did spoke of power and dominance. He garnered attention everywhere he went and demanded excellence from everyone around him. When my father passed away when I was 14 years old, my grandfather stepped in to be the father figure I needed. My mother, in her insurmountable grief, had stepped away from me after my father’s death. I had lost both parents the day my father died. I owed everything to this man. Even during my years away at boarding school, he was just a phone call or a plane ride away. He was my inspiration at university, where I earned my doctorate in Economics. He was my rock. When he was diagnosed with cancer 3 months ago, it set my axis off-kilter. He had told me not to worry. He had the best doctors at the best hospital, and “No damn cancer” would take him out.

I opened the door to his room and laughed at the sight that met my eyes. My grandfather was in his flirting stance. I knew it well. His sparkling grey eyes, cocked brow, and grinning smirk were undeniable. I had seen it many times being used on women everywhere. Hell, I think it's where I learned it from. The Michaels charm, people called it. It oozed pure sexuality and got me anything and anyone I wanted.

“Ahem,” I coughed out.

The young twenty-something nurse turned around. “Oh, it looks like you have company, Mr. Michaels.” She smiled.

“Bethany, didn’t I tell you to call me Carrington?” my grandfather mused.

She giggled and touched my grandfather’s arm, then left the room.

“Still at it, I see,” I laughed at my grandfather.

“I’m not dead yet,” he winked.

“You’d probably still be doing it in heaven if you were.” I joked.

He laughed and smiled his debonair smile.

“Ahhhhhh, my coffee. Good boy.” I handed him his coffee and sat in the chair beside the hospital bed.

“So, Grandfather, what did you need to talk to me about so desperately today that you had Samuel reschedule all my afternoon appointments?”

“Well, Nathaniel, I’ve decided that maybe it's time for me to retire as CEO of Michaels Investment Group.” I cringed at my full name; my grandfather was the only one who dared call me by it.

What? I never thought I would see the day. I thought they would carry him out of the office straight to the hearse when he was 99.

“Why now, Grandfather? Is everything ok?” I questioned.

“Nothing to worry about, Nathaniel. Things are improving with the cancer, but I’ve time to think laying here in this damn hospital bed.” He sighed. I know he missed working; it was his life. Long hours and endless meetings were his lifeline.

“You have proven yourself as interim CEO in my absence; I want you to take over as CEO, but…”

I cut him off, “Grandfather, nothing good ever comes after a but.”

“The board of directors is leery of your playboy ways,” he stated. In fact, they are pushing for Alfred to take over.”

Fuck no! Alfred, my cousin, was a bigger playboy than me. He couldn’t keep it in his pants for more than a couple of hours. He only hid his ways behind the premise of being a family man with a wife and the standard two kids. He couldn’t lead worth shit, either! There was no fucking way I was letting him run our grandfather’s company into the ground.

“What must I do, Grandfather, to gain the board's favor?” I asked.

“The answer is simple, my boy. You have until December 31st to get married.”

“You must be joking.” I look at my grandfather incredulously.

“I’m dead serious, Nathaniel,” he answers. “You secure a marriage by New Year’s Eve, or Alfred will be CEO.”

My mind was reeling. How the hell was I supposed to find someone to get married to by December 31st? That’s only 6 weeks away. All the women I had ever been with were disposable. Golddiggers or no one of consequence. This marriage had to look genuine. Where was I supposed to find a girl who looked worthy of marrying?

My thoughts were interrupted by Nurse Bethany entering the room. “Carrington, it's time for your treatment.” My grandfather stood up and walked to the wheelchair.

My grandfather turned to me, “You better get a move on it; the clock is ticking, Nathaniel.” He then sat in the wheelchair, and Bethany wheeled him across the room and out the door.

I sat there for 10 minutes, my mind racing a hundred miles per hour, ticking, ticking, ticking, Nathan. I leaped to my feet and headed to the door. I dialed my phone as I marched down the hall.

Amelie’s POV

I felt better after having a scone, tea, and a good cry. I couldn’t help but feel someone was watching me as I sat in the corner of the café, but when I looked up, I couldn’t see anyone there. I headed to the bathroom to freshen up and wipe my tear-stained face. Oh my god, I looked like a mess. I dug through my purse to find my make-up bag. Luckily, I had a face wipe and proceeded to freshen up.

I headed to the front information desk of the hospital.

“Hi, my brother, Zander Cavanaugh, was brought in earlier, and they said they were moving him to a room. Can you please tell me where his room is?” I politely asked.

“Ah, yes, Zander Cavanaugh, Room 412 on the VIP floor.” She spoke.

“I think that’s a mistake. We can’t afford the VIP floor. Can you please recheck?” I glance at her, puzzled.

“No, that’s his room. We are bursting at the seams today with patients. Dr. Carrera advised the hospital to put your brother on the VIP floor. The hospital is not charging you for the room.” She smiles at me. I start to cry. “Oh, sugar, don’t cry. Go see your brother; everything happens for a reason.”

I whispered a simple thank you and headed toward the VIP elevator. I must remember to thank Dr. Carrera. His generosity had restored my faith in humanity.

I took the elevator to the fourth floor and steadied my breath before stepping out.

Room 412. I stared at the door numbers as I strolled down the hall. 402, 404, 406, 4…thud. What the hell did I just hit? Was there a wall in the middle of the damn hallway? I peered up from the floor. It wasn’t a wall unless a wall had long legs with dress pants.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry, miss!” A large hand reached down to lift me. He lifts me as if I were a feather to him, not one ounce of strain.

My eyes fluttered up; I was met by a wide chest, broad shoulders, and up to his face. I let out an involuntary gasp. How is it possible for one man to be so beautiful? His dark, ebony hair ruffled like he had haphazardly run his fingers through it, and it was lush and thick. His face was like that of a Greek god, with chiseled cheekbones and a squared chin. His lips and nose were perfection. The crowning glory of his face was his steel grey eyes. Like the sky during a rainstorm, but warm and inviting.

“It’s you,” he spoke with a melodic baritone voice

“Excuse me?” I reply. “Do I know you?” I scrunch up my nose and raise my eyebrow in confusion.

“It’s you from the café.”

“I’m sorry, you must have me confused with someone else,” I say, moving around him to continue walking.

He reaches out to gently grab my hand. “Please stay.” He pleads.

“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know who you are, but I need to see my brother,” I pull my hand from his.

“ At least tell me your name… ” he demands.

Staring at his pleading grey eyes, the words tumble out of my mouth involuntarily. “My name is Amelie.” Then, I continue down the hall to Room 412.

Nathan POV

“Amelie,” I breathe out. Her name was intoxicating on my lips. “Amelie.” A name had upended my life. I wanted to march down the hall into room 412 and take her as mine. I had never had this feeling. Ever. Dr. Nathan Michaels never lost his cool and never pined over a woman, but her magnetic force made me want to possess her, to claim her. Shake your head, Nathan! Have you lost your goddamn mind? The answer was yes.

I approach the ward desk, where a young blond nurse sits.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Nathan Michaels, a visiting physician.” Ok, I lied, but it was necessary. Technically, I was a doctor, not a medical doctor.

“Hello, Dr. Michaels,” she smiles as she blushes. “What can I do for you today?”

I glance at her name tag, “Becky, can I see the chart for the patient in room 412, please, sweetheart?” I say, followed by a panty-dropping grin.

The nurse giggles. “Right away, Dr. Let me just grab it.” She stated as she sashayed away. “There you go, Dr. Anything else I can do for you….” She flutters her eyelashes.

I quickly looked through the chart, pretending to know what I was doing. I handed her chart back, “No, that’s everything…for now.” I wink.

I turned on my heels and headed for the elevators. Quickly, I dialed Samuel’s number. He picks up the phone immediately. “Samuel, I need you to research all the information you can find on Ms. Amelie Cavanaugh and Mr. Zander Cavanaugh. I need the info like yesterday.”

“Working on it right now.” Samuel happily states.

“Thanks, Samuel; let me know when you have any updates. It’s important, crucial.”

“Sure thing, boss,” Samuel replies and hangs up the phone.

Amelie, I thought, I hope you’re ready to become my wife.

Amelie POV

Room 412. I took a deep breath and gently pushed the door open. Zander lays on the bed, attached to several monitors and IV bags. He looks so pale but so peaceful as he lies sleeping. I sit beside the bed and lightly intertwine my fingers through his. I would do anything to help him get through this. There must be a way to get the money.

I gently brush his hair out of his face, causing him to stir and turn toward me.

“Hey, little bro, you know if you wanted to take a break from football, you could have just said,” I joke with him.

“Ame...I’m so sorry,” Zander whispers.

“Why are you apologizing?” I scolded him.

“I know you don’t need this right now. We can’t afford this at the moment. The doctor said we can delay the surgery if I quit my sports and just hang out.”

My heart broke at his statement. I could not let this happen. My brother deserves everything good in the world. He deserves to be an average teen. So much had been taken away from us, and I was unwilling to let this happen to him. I would do everything in my power to afford his surgery. Anything. I would sell my soul if necessary.

“Everything will be okay, Zander. We will make this work.” I hugged him and fought back the tears.

“I trust you, Ame,” Zander says. “You’ve never, ever let me down before.”

“I will get the money somehow, Zander. I can set up a crowdfunding page for you. I’m sure the school will help with the fundraising.”