Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Kir
Avril’s story of the previous night replayed in my mind. My older brother Evan had been twelve when he’d died of cancer. My heart thundered in my chest. I wasn’t sure what I’d do next other than help.
Maman ran a cancer charity site in my brother’s name, so I’d filled her in on the details after my date, and she’d agreed that we would fund whatever Avril needed. Avril wouldn’t need to apply for a loan or to lie to get a raise.
I would ensure that she was fine. I hated lying to my family, and I wasn’t ready to show up at my brother’s wedding with Avril on my arm just because we were pretending. My mother would want that to be real.
Fuck. I wanted it to be real, but she wasn’t my type. As I showered, a plan came to me. I had donation funds for the year that were unmarked, and I could give away more if needed.
I changed into gray slacks and called my brother’s butler to switch the business-meeting review hour to next week. “Fuller, please tell my brother to check his email, but I need to work remotely.”
“I will, sir.”
“Thanks.” I grabbed a white button-down so I would be taken more seriously at a hospital. Fuller was always a good customer of my father’s company, so I asked, “Oh, and are you happy with the managed team for your portfolio?”
“Yes. Thank you for recommending Oliver.”
Good. I smiled. At least I’d helped him. “No problem. I totally understand diversifying, so it’s not just my family that’s managing your retirement. Have a great day.”
I found my loafers and headed out the door. The limo took me over the bridge to New Jersey as it headed to the hospital. I checked my portfolio during the drive and made a few short calls. Soon, I stepped out of the limo and gazed up at the general hospital.
As I headed inside the older building, a woman at the information desk asked, May I help you, sir?”
She was probably a volunteer, so I kept it short and simple. “I’d like to talk to accounting about a patient.” This was too important to leave to anyone else.
She directed me to Account Services, across from the door to the left and all the way down the corridor. The halls were darker and made of brick, with bright lights overhead. I walked to the accounting department and identified myself to the staff.
A moment later, a hospital administrator named Judy Starr rushed out of a small office and invited me into their conference room. As we sat, I was offered tea and water. She asked, “So, Mr. Norouzi, how can I help you?”
I folded my hands on the table. For the first time in a long time, I hoped people knew I had serious money—although no amount of money could fix cancer. “You have an Abigail Lawson in the cancer wing. I’d like you to direct all future payment to me right away.”
She blinked and opened a tablet. “She’s under a managed-care account.”
I sat back. “For the honor, I will also make a sizeable donation to the cancer wing. I’ll want one of my doctors to be consulted for the best treatment available.”
She nodded. “Let me talk to her doctors.”
“I’ll wait.” I stared at her.
A minute later, she jumped and spoke to someone on her cell phone. I breathed a little easier when Ms. Starr said, “Right. So, Abigail Lawson is to be treated as a VIP from this second on. Her account has been upgraded.”
Now Avril would never lack funds for her sister’s treatment. If there was a cure, Abigail would have it. I said, “I’ll need you to refund her sister all cash payments, and you’re to mark it as overpaid and return to sender. I’ll pay that and more.”
“Done.” She typed in her computer. I handed her wire information for the family and for my mother’s cancer foundation. Once all the papers were signed and dotted, Judy Starr said, “And Abigail is requesting to speak to you.”
I raised my eyebrow. “She knows I’m talking to you?”
“Yes. The nurses told her a donation was made in her name, and she’s asking questions.”
I stood. “Thank you. What room?”
“Room 330, third floor, where she’ll be until we get her to the corner room.”
Any small upgrades would help with the stress and with keeping her calm. I said goodbye, followed signs for the cancer ward, and continued until I found her room. The door was open, but I knocked anyhow.
A woman with Avril’s blue eyes and no hair asked, “Are you my mystery benefactor?”
I saw the seat next to her bed and moved to it. “You’re Abigail Lawson?”
She pointed for me to sit. “Yeah. Call me Abby.” Once I was settled, she asked, “So, why are you helping me?”
I refused to blink. I was there to help Avril and her sister. “Because cancer shouldn’t cost anyone money.”
Her eyes were wide and seemed protruding. “So, you’re donating to all the patients?”
I shook my head and folded my hands. “The entire department is getting updated on my dime.”
She blinked. “So you’re just a rich guy looking for tax breaks?”
Time to be honest. I swallowed. “I am getting them, in helping you, but your sister?—”
“Avril is not going to be used for sex or something sordid like that because of me.” She looked like she would jump out of her bed if she could.
My eyes widened, and I shook my head fast. “No, nothing like that. I respect Avril, and I know she loves you. Honestly, she’s the sweetest woman I’ve met in a long while.”
She relaxed and smiled. “So you like her?”
She reminded me more of Avril with that shy smile of hers. “Yes, and so do my mother and father.”
“That’s good to hear.” She sipped her water. “She hasn’t mentioned that she was dating anyone.”
No. She wants me to be her fake boyfriend. And it’s a bad idea. I shook my head. “Let’s not put a label on anything. But I want her to be happy.”
She seemed weak as she said, “Okay, well, I’m glad you came up and talked to me. I feel better about accepting your charity.”
I stood. “Honestly, I’ll earn more by making a donation from my foundation than I would by just keeping it, so don’t worry about anything.
And I’m having a doctor flown in from Switzerland that my brothers hold in high regard.
My brother Evan died of cancer when he was twelve, so I’m praying you have amazing results. ”
She took my hand. “Thank you. I’ll talk to that doctor.” Then she pointed me back to the chair and had me sit down again, and we talked for a few hours. She’d been a nurse until she got cancer.
When the doctors came in to check on her and move her to another room, I excused myself. My limo was waiting for me. As I was driven back to my penthouse near the park, I decided it was time to tell Avril that I wasn’t going to actively be her fake boyfriend. Faking wasn’t me.
I wouldn't correct the people she worked with, but I wouldn’t lie either. When she answered the phone, my heart beat faster. “Avril, can you meet me after work today?”
“I’m glad you called. Absolutely.”
I closed my eyes as the car stopped. I would find a place to tell her gently about my decision. I opened my eyes and scooted out. “Great. I’ll send the limo for you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“It’s for the best.” I directed my driver to her work, since she would be done soon. As I walked into the main lobby of my building, I nodded at the doorman who held my door, the guys behind the desk, and the one who called the elevator for me.
Avril asked, “Did you go see my sister today?”
Heat rose in my cheeks. I stepped in. “How did you know?”
“We talk every day. Is that what you want to talk about first?”
In part . I hoped she would understand. As the doors closed, I said, “Yeah, and about what you asked.”
“Perfect. See you at five, then.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” I said as the elevator rose.
If my family thought I was dating Avril, they would be happy for me. And I hated disappointing anyone. But I'd fixed everything I could for Avril. Ideally, it was enough, and she wouldn’t need me as her fake anything anymore.