Billionaire In Broken Pieces

DAISY LORNE

I quickly took a bath, fully aware that I was running late. I hadn't even had breakfast yet and was still getting ready in the bathroom. I had so much on my plate, juggling multiple jobs, that I even forgot I had been selected for some interviews-some of which I would attend only if I felt like it. Next week, I was set to start another high-paying job. Oh my God... I had 20 minutes left; I needed to move fast! I put some leftovers from last night into the microwave and hurried to get dressed.

Ten minutes later, I was dressed, had placed the leftover rice on a plate, and started shoveling it into my mouth. I managed to eat in just four minutes and dashed out of my apartment as if I had been zapped by an electric current. Maybe I would check on my family this evening, especially my mother, to see how she was doing.

"Make way!" I shouted while running, not even realizing I was wearing mismatched high heels and a skirt that looked like it was from the clearance rack. To top it all off, I was already ten minutes late.

"Elevator! Hold the door!" I yelled, but the doors closed on me, just like a villain in a movie slamming a door in someone's face.

I had no choice but to wait for the elevator to open again. With a wrinkled blouse and my ID badge on backward, the doors finally slid open, allowing the outgoing staff to exit. I strode inside and pressed the button for the 29th floor, taking a deep breath to calm myself. This company was intimidatingly tall and stressful, and I could barely let my breakfast settle. I realized I had never seen or met the CEO since starting this job.

After enduring my usual morning scolding, I settled into my workstation. Later that evening, I went to my parent's house. "Mom, Dad, John! I'm home!" I visited frequently because of Mom's health. She had been diagnosed with kidney problems two years ago and needed a transplant costing an estimated $2 million. I didn't even have $100,000 saved up. The medication she needed cost $5,000 a month, providing only slight relief from her pain while we scrambled for the money for the operation. It felt like the money I was trying to save for her transplant kept dwindling because I couldn't skip a month of buying her medicine.

Mom couldn't even shout at us anymore or scold me, Dad, or John like she used to. Time seemed to take everything away.

"Oh, my gracious daughter, how have you been?" she asked, welcoming me at the entrance.

"Mom, I'm the one who should be asking how your health is. I've been too busy at work, which is why I haven't visited."

"All has been good, thanks to the medications you're providing," she replied but then started coughing.

"Mom, what's wrong? Do you need water?" I asked anxiously as she shook her head, lowering her hand from her mouth. Blood... Mom, you're coughing up blood? Does this happen often? When did you start noticing this? Have you been taking your medicine, or has it run out? We need to see the doctor!

"No, don't worry. I've been coughing up blood frequently lately. The medicine isn't managing the pain anymore. I don't want to stress you out; you're already doing so much. You've spent most of your salary on my medication."

"Where are Dad and John? Do they both know about this?" I pressed.

"Yes, they both know. I told them not to disturb you. John hasn't come back from school yet, and your father has gone out to work in the garden."

"I will make sure to gather the money as soon as possible; we can't delay your kidney transplant any longer," I promised her, fully aware of how difficult it would be to find that money. My monthly salary was only $10,000.

I helped her tidy up the house and gave her a massage so she could relax. I decided it was best to leave for now and send my love to Dad and John.

"I'll visit again tomorrow, Mom. I love you," I said.

"Love you too," she replied.

As I stepped outside, I popped in my AirPods and played some calming music.

On my way home, I noticed a sign for "Bubblesnacks," a place selling snacks and soft drinks. "How may I help you?" the cashier asked.

"Five pancakes and one Coca-Cola," I replied.

"Okay, miss. That will be $5," she said.

Prices just keep rising. "Here's my card," I replied. She swiped my card and handed me my order.

I planned to eat my snacks on the way home and cook a proper meal when I got there. It had been a while since I started juggling different jobs. I needed to support my mother's operation fee while also taking care of my own needs. They even suggested I work at a bar to earn more money, but my family wouldn't support that decision. I'd rather take on three jobs or more than compromise my self-respect by working in a bar.

I currently have two jobs. My first job is a full-time position at Ray Tech that runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. My second job is in the evening, which is a shift position from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. After that, I have another job waiting for me. Additionally, I am considering a part-time position at a new restaurant close to my apartment. All of this meant I was barely getting six hours of sleep a night.

I received a call on my phone from my best friend, Lucas.

LUCAS BLAKE

I was looking through the document, and this is the contract my father wants me to acquire. Thankfully, it has been signed. The private hospital is owned by my friend James Balton. We met in the business world, and he is also our family doctor; his hospital is one of the biggest in the world. I signed the contract for the project with him.

"It's been a long time, Luca," James said. "The poor can't afford treatment here, and most of them are being helped by the foundation."

"Would it be better if I expanded the hospital to poorer countries or somewhere suitable?" he asked. Of course, he is my friend and business partner; he has been married for the past three years, and I attended his wedding as the groom's friend.

"It's up to you, James. After all, you own this hospital. My duty is to have my staff supply the necessary resources and oversee the project. There's nothing wrong with expanding it abroad. You know I don't need to tell you what to do; just execute your plans. If you do, this could be the biggest project ever," I said, and we both chuckled.

"I know that's what you would say. I want to arrange meetings with several investors who are willing to help us with this project," he replied.

"No problem, James."

"I'll take my leave now because I'm heading on a business trip to China tomorrow. I need to finalize a deal with Mr. Kong, a Chinese supplier of raw materials for our technology project development."

"Oh, that reminds me, I haven't had my check-up in quite a while," I said.

"I thought you were a real man now! You don't need to worry about anything," James teased.

Simon, my trusted personal assistant, pressed the button for the floor where the medical laboratory is located. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was my mother. I picked up, "Hello, Mom..."

"Lucas, why are you doing this to me? You know I always respect your decisions; any girl of your choice is fine. Do you want me to grow old without seeing my grandchildren, or do you want me to die young? I want to see my grandchildren! Your father is worried about you. Don't do this to us."

"Calm down, Mother..."

"Don't tell me to calm down! I'm starting to-"

Beeep.

"Why did you hang up? She was saying something reasonable," James asked.

"Well, it seems I had to because she doesn't give me a chance to speak. Whenever we're on the phone, her voice always drowns mine out. She barely hears what I'm saying. I've been told not to come home without a girlfriend or fiancée. She calls almost every day; that's why I'm troubled."

"Yes, I understand, but they are your parents. You don't really have a choice; I support them. You're in a difficult situation, and your little brother isn't responding. You need to find a way to solve this-maybe a marriage contract would help."

"Hmm... Yes, you make sense for the first time in history! But I don't know how it works, and I don't have anyone to turn to or know whether I should make a poster or a flyer for it but that sounds ridiculous."

"Just think of any woman who could help you," said James.

"Lucas, think hard. I could ask Daisy if she would help me. She is my childhood friend, and it has been a while since we spoke or saw each other. She has always kept my secrets, but I don't have any romantic feelings for her," I said.

"It's not necessary to love her, but you have to treat her like a real couple. And to be precise, you will have a contract between yourselves, and you'll be paying her. She can't do it for free if she truly wants to help you," James noted.

"I know, but I don't know how to approach her about this situation, and I'm not sure how to say it in her presence because I'll just freeze up and won't be able to say anything."

"You can do this," James said, tapping my shoulder.