"A hospital...right?"

"No...I'm at Jace Harrison's beach house." I state, awestruck.

"Like...an actual beach house?!"

"Yes, I can show you." I switch the call to FaceTime to film the vast windows and the sunny beach.

"Oh damn! That's not a house; that's a mansion! Geez! Why did he take you there?"

"I'm as lost as you are. I thought I was at another hospital."

"I did too. Well, at least you sound better."

"I feel better." I flip the camera view around to smile.

"Good. None of us need you screaming and fainting again. Jace included. I don't even know how he knew where you were. Or that you had gotten worse. He arrived an hour after demanding your release."

"I heard some of the conversation...but not all of it. Tell me what went wrong?"

"You had bleeding on the brain for 7 hours without receiving medical attention. Your doctor assumed the heavy medication was the cause. So, we believed her and kind of cooled down. Then Jace showed up with a team of doctors. They forced an immediate transfer of medical custody into their private board."

"Custody into what?"

"Girl, I don't even know. I didn't like how bad you got or how you went untreated. Jace said your time was running out. I guess his doctors informed him. They're the top in the state. That meant better resources for you. But Brad didn't like how Jace came in and dominated things."

"That I recall."

"He tried to fight Jace. Me and Jess stopped him and made him leave."

I hold my head. "This is all so crazy."

"It was...and scary as hell." Lily expresses gloomily. "You wouldn't wake up after your head went berserk. I didn't like how limp you were...or that I couldn't get in the helicopter with you." Her despair and sentiment weigh on my heart. She sounds so broken.

"Aww, I wish you could have. We can't be apart."

"I know, right? This distance is gonna bring on a curse or something." She laughs and sobs at the same time. "Text me the address so I can come to you."

"Umm... I have no idea where I am."

"The place looks pretty isolated. I didn't see any people around."

"I'll ask the maid for the address when she comes back."

"Geez, a maid?!"

"Yep...I feel like a celebrity." I chuckle.

"No...you're at a billionaire's house that's beyond celebrity level. How does it feel?"

"Like I'm in a staged house on a movie set."

"Hmm...typical rich shit, they can never live reasonably. If I had dough, I'd still be cheap."

"Me too. Penny pinching for life."

"I don't know. I think you broke that cycle. I mean, you're at Jace Harrison's house. There's something behind all of this."

"He's just being nice."

"Maddy..." Lil stretches out my name as if I'm being completely dumb. "There's something behind it...Jace wants you."

"If he does, oh well. I'm not going for a playboy. Jace is just being hospitable. That's all."

"No. I think the wallet scheme got him into you."

"I'm with Brad, remember? And he's so far ahead of me with the relationship. He tried to tell me he loved me. I had to stop him. Twice."

"HE DID WHAT??!!" She bellows.

"You heard me right. Brad tried to say the L-word. He said he believes in love at first sight. I love how invested he is and think this is finally my shot. So, whatever is going on here regarding Jace can't go any further than a nice gesture. I'll thank him, then go back to my boyfriend."

"Why would he say that?!"

"He was being honest."

"It hasn't even been a month of dating!"

"It is sudden...I hope it was just the nerves talking."

"Hopefully, it was. You two haven't even got real with each other yet. It's puppy dog love, that's all."

"It better be...because I'm nowhere near where he is. I don't want to lie and say I am out of pity."

"You two need a deep talk once everything is back to normal. How much longer are you staying there?"

"I'm not sure. The host isn't here; I have to wait until he gets home."

"Where is he?"

I flip the camera around. "At an expo."

On TV, an arena of people applauds something labeled "Sea-Pactor". It's some sort of long tube machine, like a vacuum but larger and self-moving. Jace rocks a navy suit jacket and pants with a black turtleneck. His dark hair is neatly tamed and shoulder length. The loose curls have him resembling a Greek god. Even through the tv screen, his emerald eyes are intoxicating. He's on a futuristic, white stage. Jace announces something about the machine, but the waves are too loud. I can't hear.

"What's he saying?"

"Umm..." I look around for the remote. It's on the bookcase shelf. "The remote is all the way over there," I complain.

"Any other time that would be lazy, you're lucky you have a pass." Lil's screen goes to a colorful box. "I'll check Twitter."

"Judging by the name, it gotta have something to do with sea cleaning."

"You're right. The sea-pactor is a modified Roomba that will clean trash from the ocean on autopilot. The device will eliminate 13% of sea junk within the next five years. Okay...that's badass."

On the screen, the sea-pactor is lowered into a floor compartment. The audience claps. Jace stands on stage, soaking up applause with much gratitude. His dazzling smile lights up the screen. The next product's name displays on a banner before it's lifted from the floor. Stryger F15. This one is long and covered up. "I need that remote." I glower at it from afar.

"No need. The showcase is listed online. The Stryger F15 is a completely solar-powered car. No gas, no electricity, no pollution. And no to that price, it's $112k. Somebody did not just say that's a good price! Hold up...let me be a troll real quick."

"Uh oh..."

The door opens. The maid comes in with a tray of soup and crackers. "This will help with your iron levels. Although a blood transfusion replenished you, it wouldn't hurt to be cautious."

"Oh, thank you." I cringe at the plate of food I barely touched. "Sorry, I wasn't hungry for breakfast."

"There's no need for apologies, Ms. Hart."

"I didn't get your name...and you can call me Madison. Ms. Hart makes me sound like a schoolteacher."

"First name basis it is. I'm Helen." I make out gray streaks in her brown hair. "You have a lovely name." Helen notes that the tv is drowned out by the sea. She goes to close the windows and swipes the curtains to the side. "Can you hear now, or should I up the volume?"

I listen. The crowd cheers. Jace reports on a sleek, muscle car, "the Stryger F15 retails at $112k."

"Yes, I can hear, thank you."

"Of course." Helen clears away the food I barely touched, then sets down the bowl of soup and crackers. She rolls the tray out and shuts the door.

"This model is far more expensive, yes. Only because it lasts a month on sun power and only requires ten hours of daylight. Strygent strives..." The crowd chuckles at the rhyme, so does Jace. "On affordability and offers income-restricted leases and various payment plans. Everything isn't about a high price. Clean energy automobiles shouldn't alienate the classes. As one, we must improve the environment...divided, we will forever lose it." The jam-packed audience applauds.

"Okay, I take that back...it is affordable." Lil sniggers from the other line. "Payment plans are $700 a year. That's insane! I thought the rich were money hungry. It takes guts to cut costs." She praises. "Especially for a car that looks like a damn Lamborghini. I could get one. Now that's inclusion."

"That is something." I agree with her, unable to hide my admiration.

"Do you think he's still just a playboy?"

"Yes, I do." I look into the lens to roll my eyes. "He might have a big heart. That doesn't mean he treats women well. Last I checked, he's been with 33 women in the last 4 years. No telling how many before that."

"Probably over a hundred...he's a real-life Tony Stark, minus the superhero bit. Meaning he's a genius slut."

"Definitely."

"Brad just texted me for an update; you should call him."

"Yeah...I think he should be level-headed now. I'll text later."

"Alright, bye, babe."

"Bye." I crumble saltine crackers into the soup while simultaneously dialing my boyfriend. I eat about five spoon full as I wait for a pickup.

"Hello?"

"It's me. Hi."

"You got a new phone?"

"Not really, I borrowed one. I miss you."

"You sound better. Where are you? I need to see you."

I scratch the back of my head. "Promise you won't get mad."

"Why would I?"

"Just promise, please?" The line is quiet for a few seconds. I almost wonder if the connection broke. I read the screen to make sure the call is still live. It is.

"Okay, I promise."

I try to say where I am, but my mouth keeps starting and stopping. He's going to lose it. It's been peaceful...my first peaceful day since the accident. But...I already mentioned it, so I can't withdraw. My sight lands on the windows and the remarkable ocean view. I force myself to say, "I'm at Jace Harrison's house. I didn't know I would be. I heard the debate you all had at the hospital and thought I was being sent to another one."

"YOU'RE WHERE??!!"

I hold the phone away due to his enraged hollering. "Please don't yell."

"WHY ARE YOU AT HIS PLACE?!"

"I guess his doctors are here, so I am."

"That doesn't add up!"

"Why not? I'm telling you the truth!" I raise my voice.

"Is there something you need to tell me???"

I rub at my temple and huff. "No...drop it, okay."

"How do you know each other?"

"Nothing is going on. Jace is just a customer from the country club."

"I'm not buying that! The guy had a dick measuring contest. He ordered to take you away, and now you're at his house! This isn't adding up. You need to tell me the truth!"

I glare at the phone. "I just told you!"

"I don't think you did!"

"I just told you I didn't know I would be here; you're not listening to me!"

"Because you're lying. I know who this Jace guy is. He has a reputation. He isn't doing this out of the goodness of his heart! No one gives without getting something in return!"

"Are you implying that I'm one of his side pieces??!" My hand quakes: the phone I hold pulsates uncontrollably. "I don't have time for this! You just ruined my day. I hope you're happy!" I end the call and throw the phone towards the end of the bed. I can't believe he would accuse me of cheating! Brad didn't even hear me out!

My blood boils. My nostrils flare. I have the urge to slap him. To kick him in the nuts for treating me so badly. The strongest loathing I've ever felt overrides my soul. I never thought I would say this...I hate him.

#Romance
#Love