The Secret Billionaire

Chapter 24

ERIS

It's been about a week since Alana had Braxton hicks. It has not been easy. No matter how often I tell Nathan not to disturb her, he still does it. Elijah has been fussy, and Alana worries that she won't be able to take care of both of them. It's like I'm taking care of teenagers and a toddler.
"I don't understand why he does that all the time," Alana groaned, rubbing her temples. We were in the living room, and Nathan was flinging a giggly Elijah up in the air. "He's going to throw up,"
A few seconds after she said that, Elijah spit up, and it landed all over Nathan. I snickered, and Alana burst out laughing.
"I told you," Nathan looked over at us, trying to blink through questionable liquids on his face. Elijah started crying, and I stood up.
"I'll take him to clean up. Go take a shower," Elijah reached out for me, and Nathan stood up.
"How can a little kid throw up this much?" He ranted as he walked out of the living room.
I went to the kitchen and seated Elijah by the sink. I cleaned his face, and he looked up at me.
"You have a crazy uncle. You know that, right?" I said and tickled him. I loved hearing his little laugh. I went back into the living room, and Alana attempted to reach for Nathan's phone.
"It won't stop ringing. Can you answer it, please?" She asked. I placed Elijah on my hip and picked up the phone.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Mr. Rylan?" A woman's voice rang through.
"He can't get to his phone right now. Can I take a message for him?" I asked.
"If you can just tell him that there is a package for him downstairs waiting for him,"
"Yes, thank you,"
I hung up the phone and tossed it on the couch.
"Who was that?" Alana asked.
"Someone from downstairs called saying there was a package for Nathan. I'm going to go get it," I said and looked at Elijah. "Let's go on a little trip," He nodded, and I looked at Alana sternly.
"Do not get up. It won't take long," She waved me off, and I went into the elevator.
"You like the elevator?" I asked Elijah, and he nodded. "It's like a ride,"
I don't understand what the point of talking to babies is. All we get is cute baby noises in return. I let him down, and he immediately started bouncing and giggling, which made me nervous because I was scared of death in the elevator. Ding! The lounge came into view, and I scooped him back up.
"Let's go pick up the package for your crazy uncle, okay?" I said, talking to Elijah again. I went up to the desk, and Crystal looked up at me and scoffed.
"Kicked to the curb with your baby already?" She laughed.
"This is his nephew. You should know that by now," I rolled my eyes. "I'm here to pick up the package for Nathan,"
"Mr.Rylan has to sign for the package," She placed a clipboard in front of me.
"It's okay. He permitted me. I'll sign for it," She slammed her hand on the board and pulled it back.
"See, no, I can't let you do that. It says, Mr.Rylan. Not skank #2," She smirked. She was talking to me in a baby voice, and I did not want to deal with her. Elijah started getting fussy, and I looked at her.
"Look bitch, when I tell you that he permitted me himself makes me eligible to sign for him. If you don't hand me the pen so I can leave, I swear I will-"
"Whoa, okay, what is going on here?" I turned around and saw a tall, buff man standing beside me. It's not security, just a bystander watching me freak out at the receptionist.
"I'm here for a package, but she is making it extra difficult," I said and moved Elijah to my other hip. I'm not letting him down because I don't want to be running after him.
"Why don't you give the pretty lady her package so we can get this settled?" The man leaned over the counter and winked at Crystal. She bit her lip and gave me the clipboard without breaking eye contact with him. I signed, and she put it on her desk.
"See, was that so hard?" I asked sarcastically, and she rolled her eyes.
"The package is over there," She sneered and pointed to a box beside the desk. "Good luck taking it up,"
I smiled sarcastically at her and walked away. I kicked the box lightly, and it didn't move. It's definitely heavy.
"I can help you with it," I jumped at the voice and saw the tall man standing behind me again.
"I'm fine. I'll have someone else help me," I said and tried pushing it with my foot. No luck.
"Why make a big deal about it? I'm here already. Let me help," He smiled. I felt him put his hand on my back, and I stepped away. "Either way, I was on my way up to meet with Mr. Rylan," He mimicked Crystal's voice and shook his head.
"Really? What's your relation to him?" I said and switched Elijah again. Man, I was really getting tired.
He shrugged, "An old friend,"
Elijah started crying, and I sighed. "Okay fine," I stepped back. He bent down, putting his arms around the box. "Wait, it might be heavy,"
He picked it up like nothing and looked at me. "Will you open the elevator for me, princess?"
I pressed the button and glared at him."Don't call me princess,"
"How about I call you mine?" He laughed as we stepped into the elevator.
"Smooth. Do you use that with all of the ladies?" I laughed. I covered the pin code for his floor and the doors closed.
"Sometimes, when I know they are worth my best game," He winked at me. I switched Elijah, so he acted as a barrier between us. "How come you have premium access to Mr. Rylan's place and mail?"
"Well, It's a long story," I said, avoiding eye contact with him. "What's with the white spot of hair?"
"I'll explain if you tell me your story," He suggested, and I shook my head.
Ding! The doors opened, and I turned to look at him.
"Whoops, short ride," I shrugged, and we stepped out. "If you want, place it there. We'll move it out of the way later," I pointed to a space on the side. There was a loud thump when he let it go. Wow. He made it look lighter when he picked it up.
"How about I take you to dinner, and you can tell me the story about you and Nathan?" He asked, and I turned to look at him, confused.
"Nathan? Did you say old friend or close friend?" I asked. I was about to let Elijah down when I noticed he was nodding off already. Man, this kid can be full of energy one minute, then the next, sleeping.
"Well.." He trailed off.
There was a loud crashing noise, and the tall man, I still don't know his name, wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me back. I turned around and saw Alana standing there with glass around her feet.
"Alana! What are you doing up? I told you to wait for me." I said and made my way to her. Mr. no-name pulled my arm, and my back slammed against his chest.
"Watch it. There is glass everywhere," He hissed. Alana stayed quiet, almost in shock.
"Mathew?" She asked in disbelief. I turned my attention back to the mess in front of us.
"You know him too? He said he is Nathan's old friend," I smiled at her.
"I-I thought you were d-dead," She stepped back, crushing the glass. Thankfully, she had shoes on.
My smile dropped, and I turned to look at the man holding me. Mathew was his name. "Dead? Who are you?"
"What the fuck are you doing here?" My heart dropped when I heard his voice. I turned my head slowly to look at Nathan standing there with a towel in his hand. I might've just let an unwelcome stranger into the house.
"Nice to see you again, brother,"