The Billionaire's accomplice

The wall between us...

KELSEY

I have not seen Gabriel after our last confrontation in  the Loft. But Jacob had seen me a couple of times and had briefed me with the 'contract', and more about Jeremy...his health, his routine, his activities among other things that I needed to know. Gabriel was Jeremy's Health Care Proxy and POA, the one who would make the legal decision about his health. From the POA, a clause was included and made me as the alternate decision maker  in emergency cases. I was also told about the Ranch, the house staff, the ranch personnel and all the privileges given to me during the period of my stay. Our contract marriage would remain confidential, but the people at the Ranch was given instructions to treat me as one of the 'family members' and I already met some of them, including  Dane and Sean, the  Siberian huskies that belonged to the two brothers.  I asked myself if I should be grateful even if I knew that I dragged myself farther in a situation that not anyone with a sane mind would possibly do. I really must have gone crazy!

I came to know that Gabriel rarely stayed at the Ranch because of its distance from Glendale and it was not his home base, they have an ancestral home in downtown Glendale and he has a bachelor's pad near the Business District,  and a penthouse in their headquarters, but more often than not he would  stay in a hotel  during his business trips here and there or in his office while working overtime.  But since Jeremy decided to stay at the ranch since his illness, Gabriel had to come frequently to check on him.  Since I already came and stayed with Jeremy, I assumed that he would eventually change that arrangement.  It was actually a relief not to bump into him, and I tried to convince myself that it was for good, I wasn't ready to face him again just to have another argument, we were always in the opposite poles, he hated me and I could not stand his arrogance, the farther we were from each other the better. It was ironic, that my so-called husband was not at all 'devoted' to me. I smirked at myself for that sudden thought.

It wasn't easy for me to suddenly live in a new place that belonged to Montelibano's,  I was having a hard time, I had to change my routine, and made Jeremy the center of my day to day activities.  I could not sing anymore, I could not continue my job, I had to give up a lot of things. I was also not used to being 'served' by others and lived in luxury and extravagant life.  Though I knew that my time was  only borrowed and temporary, I had to choice but to adjust and  take responsibility because I consented it to happen. After all, The Ranch was a beautiful place, serene, quiet, and peaceful, it was the reason why Jeremy wanted to spend most of his time than to be in Glendale even if the hospital was more accessible in case he would need an emergent medical care.

Jeremy became more clingy, and demanding, after he found out that I agreed to stay and be with him. He had no idea that his brother 'married' me just to stay with him. Though that kind of 'deception' was for his sake, sometimes I still felt guilty about it. He wasn't getting better,  and the days was passing so fast, but at least he was stable. Though he had his personal caregiver 24/7, he would still asked for me just to be beside him, sometimes I could not help but  felt that I totally lost my sense of independence.

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One morning...

"Kel, can we go for a picnic today?  Only you and me. There's a place I want you to see. It's not far away from here."  His face lit up, with excitement.

"But...you will get tired if we go outside, the doctor said you need  to rest  to preserve your energy and should not over exert yourself, i really don't think it would be a good idea." I was against it.

"Damn with what the doctor said, I'm sick of it, I insist...Please, who knows, it might be the last time i would see that place." He insisted, ignoring my  refusal.