Beautiful Rose (Elixir Billionaires #1)

26. Zander

26

ZANDER

The ringing of a cell phone wakes me up, and it takes me a while to realize why I’m asleep, half seated with my back resting on the headboard. I’m still getting used to Marr curled on my lap.

“Marr. Sweetheart. Someone’s calling you.” I shake her gently.

“Huh?” She rubs her eyes before looking around.

I point to her phone ringing on the table near the glass door.

She rises, taking the sheets away with her and leaving me buck naked on the bed. But by the time she reaches her phone, the ringing stops.

“It’s Kristy. Let me call her back.”

I get up and put on my sweatpants, which were lying on the floor.

“Hello, Kristy. Are you all right? Oh my god! What happened?”

I am beside her in two steps, hearing the worry in her voice.

“Kristy, where are you?” Marr bites her lips, concentrating on Kristy’s words. “We’re coming.” She looks at me and I nod. “What are you saying? It’s no problem. We’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

“All okay?” I ask, grabbing her hands in mine as she looks around in worry.

“I don’t know. She was crying. She just told me Charlie’s hurt.” I can see confusion etched on her face.

“Charlie? Oscar’s son?”

“Yes. I don’t understand either. But she’s home and we need to go, Zander.” Her voice holds a touch of guilt and worry for her friend.

“Of course. Get ready. We’ll leave immediately.”

Marr takes a shower while I hurriedly pack my overnight bag. I’m not sure what’s waiting for us at her home.

As I put on my jacket, Marr is back, dressed in yesterday’s clothes, which were washed by the hotel staff this morning. She walks closer to me and pats my tie.

“Apart from yesterday, I have never… seen you in anything but suits.”

“You don’t like me in suits?” I ask. I know I’m good-looking, and so do the various page-three reporters who mention my looks more than our company in their social media.

“You know you’re handsome, Zander. Don’t fish for compliments. It was just an observation.” She smiles.

“Okay, you got me. But seriously, would you prefer if I put on something casual when I’m with you?”

“No, definitely not. I like your CEO look,” she says, hanging her arms around my neck. But her smile vanishes when she remembers her best friend. “Let’s go. Kristy is waiting for us.”

Marr remains quiet throughout the ride and jumps out of the car even before I’ve properly parked on her street. I walk in long strides and meet her at the door as she inserts her key into the lock.

“Kristy? ”

“I’m here, Rosie.” This heavy, croaky voice Kristy has is unfamiliar to me.

We both enter the living room and find Kristy sitting on the couch by the window. White crumbled tissues flood the floor. Marr steps further into the room and jumps on the couch beside her friend, while I stay rooted at the door.

“What happened?” she asks softly, and Kristy opens her watery eyes.

I never imagined Kristy like this—heartbroken.

“Kristy, do you need anything?” I ask, unsure how to help her.

“I’m sorry, Zander, that you have to see me like this.” She wipes her face with her hands before glancing in my direction.

“What are you talking about? You’re having a bad day; we’ve all been there.” I look at her and Marr, who gives me a weak smile. “If you like, I can make you both some tea or get some lunch?”

“Tea sounds good,” Kristy whispers.

I saunter into their kitchen. Having a good idea of where things are from the previous night, I put the water to boil and grab three cups from their cabinet. They have quite an impressive tea collection.

Plain black tea, black tea with vanilla, green tea with oranges, green tea with lemons, blueberry tea, berry cupcake tea.

What the hell is berry cupcake tea?

I sniff the sweet-smelling tea box suspiciously before putting it back in the drawer.

Once the water is boiled, I pour it into three cups and arrange them on a tray with a squeeze bottle of honey, spoons, and a box of green tea with oranges.

I place the items on the coffee table in their living room.

“Charlie was running in the backyard when he slipped and broke his leg. He’ll be in a cast for over a month,” Kristy explains after taking a sip of the tea.

It’s bad, but I still can’t make the link between a child’s broken limb and Kristy’s current condition. Marr seems to be having the same thoughts.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine, Kris. Charlie can be awfully naughty at times.” An intimate smile breaks on Marr’s face. As every other time when I see her attachment to Oscar and his family, I curse myself for not visiting Cherrywood sooner.

“Yes.” Kristy smiles a genuine smile for the first time. “But it’s not only that.” Her voice gets a hesitant lilt. “Oscar’s mother was also at the hospital, and when she saw me, it got a little out of hand.”

“Really, why?” Marr fixes her glasses, as she always does whenever she’s thinking about a big problem.

My own curiosity is piqued as I watch Kristy fumbling with her words.

“I gave her a pretty good reason. We were in the waiting area when Charlie and Oscar returned from the exam room. Charlie mumbled, ‘Mom, can you hold me?’ and that set Oscar’s mother off.” Kristy glances nervously between me and Marr.

Oh, boy. So, this is the elephant in the room.

A smile draws on my lips. I’m happy and surprised, but it’ll be interesting to see how Marr responds to this great revelation.

“Mom? Oscar’s wife is back?” Marr’s brows knit together in confusion.

Okay, totally unexpected response.

“No. And he doesn’t have a wife. Only an ex-wife and it’s been years.” Kristy stands up, almost screaming at Marr. Now that’s the Kristy I know.

“Um, okay. Then who is ‘ Mom’ ?” Marr’s hands rest on the cuffs of her shirt, ready to be pulled .

“If Oscar decides to marry someone, she will be Charlie’s mom, no?” Kristy doesn’t sound very pleased at her friend’s lack of comprehension.

“Oscar is getting… married? To someone we know?” Marr is still a few steps away from the great realization.

Kristy looks at me with exasperation, and I bite back my laugh.

“Yes, someone you know, Rosie. Someone you know very well. Maybe your best friend.” She points to herself. “He’s marrying me silly.”

Kristy’s cheeks turn pink, and in this rare moment, she seems bashful. When Marr doesn’t reply, she perches back on the couch and grabs her friend’s hands. “Are you upset that I didn’t tell you sooner?”

“Um, no. I-I’m surprised, Kris.” Marr looks from Kristy to me. “But I’m also very happy.”

“But why are you upset?” I ask Kristy. We still haven’t heard the reason for the tissues flooding the floor of their living room.

“Oscar’s mom freaked out when he told her that we were together and he’d proposed to me.” Kristy waves her hand, displaying a huge ring.

My gaze turns to Marr as her expression changes from confusion to excitement.

Kristy continues. “She told Oscar that he was making the same mistake again and that I could never be a good mother to Charlie; not the kind of mother he needs. She created a huge scene at the hospital, and I had to leave. But since then, Oscar isn’t picking up my calls.” Her voice trembles. “I’m scared I’ve lost everything already.”

I attempt to console her. “Give him some time, Kristy. Oscar’s hands are full with an enraged mother and an injured kid.”

Marr puts her arm around her friend. “Zander is right, Kris. Everything will be all right.”