The Billionaire's Secrets

Chapter 27 The Breakdown

How much time do I have left doc? "Less than a year most likely. It's hard to tell since the hole is growing at a very fast pace. So you're going to come every 2 weeks for check-ups so we can monitor the growth of the hole." Okay thanks doc. If I have anything else to ask, I'll come to see you, I say giving him a tight smile. He walks to me and does the unexpected. He hugs me tightly and I wince softly. "Please Storm, take care of yourself. We don't want to lose you. I want to see you walk down the aisle and have lots of kids run around calling me grandpa. Okay?" I laugh and say yes dad and he turns to leave. Even though he actually isn't my dad but he's close enough as a dad.

Not long after he walked out, the clique came in along with Demetri, Enrique, hell even Jones and James, Thomas and so many more. Is this the new party venue, I say laughing lightly. They all have sad and grim expressions. But Demetri has this almost angry expression. I tell the clique all is well and that they can go home since I was going to be discharged the following evening. Eventually after a lot of hugs and tears from the clique as well as convincing them, they left. Demetri remained behind with Enrique. Demetri has been my support system throughout this time. God knows what I would've done without him by my side. He's helped me more than he knows. But he has this expression that makes me worried and he's looking at me as though he can see through me, through the façade, through the lies-through everything and-

"We need to talk" he says giving me a serious look. What about? I ask him questioningly. "What you've been keeping from everyone" he retorts with a grim expression. For a moment I think he knows-but how could he? No one could've told him! Hell no one even knows about this apart from Dr.Morellini. I don't know what you're talking about, I say pretending as if I know nothing. "Stop this Storm. We've been through a lot together. Don't lie to me anymore. I heard it. I heard it for myself. When were you going to tell me or even the clique, hell what about your family about the fact that you have less time left with us?" for the third time I'm stunned in a matter of few hours. "When were you going to tell us you're dying?" he shouts at me. His shoulders heave as he's on the verge of crying.

My Demetri crying? I didn't know what to say. "When were you going to tell us Storm? When you were on your deathbed or worse when you were already dead?" he says as he grits his teeth and shouts at me. I look away. I can't look at him or Enrique who has the same expression. Just as I'm about to speak, the door opens to a crying Michael. From the look on his face I realise that he heard everything. He comes to my bedside and cries and soon silent tears are rolling down my cheeks so I turn my face the other way not wanting them to see it. And I continue to rub Michael's back and head as I whisper words of comfort of how everything will be okay and he need not cry. "Why?" he asks me with a voice laced with pain. My heart breaks for him. He's been my best man ever. I love him more than anything.

Watching him break down like this hurts me as much or even more than it did when I watched him get married. But I had to be strong for him, for everyone and for me or my resolve will break. I quickly swipe my free hand across my wet cheeks, erasing any evidence of it being there. I don't know baby. I don't. But I love you. Don't you ever forget that okay? Everything will be okay. I need you to be strong for me alright? Because I can't bear to see you cry for me. No more tears now. We are going to make the best of whatever time I have whether I get a transplant or not. Is that understood? And none of you can say anything to the others. Promise me you guys won't say anything to anyone, you can't tell the clique that I'm dying. I've still got time that I want to make the best of and tie up all loose ends. You guys are going to help me get through this but if you break down, I won't be able to handle it.

And soon I couldn't control myself and cried. I thought of how I saw Christian Gabriel holding another girl's hand. I was angry and jealous that he didn't take long to replace me even though we weren't a couple yet I knew he didn't need to wait on me because I pushed him away. He was only doing what was in his best interest and he needed someone who wouldn't give him mixed signals or push away every time he tried to get close because I was afraid to let anyone in. Because I built walls around me and it was selfish of me to have wanted him to wait on me. Seeing him made me acknowledge that I was in love with him. That I loved him with my life. He was my lifeline. He was my prince charming. What I felt for Damon hadn't been love. But what I felt for Christian Gabriel was love and everything more. I just didn't want to admit it to myself and clung onto the 'love' I had felt for Damon. And knowing that I just lost him to someone else was unbearable. I wanted to die. I was dying anyway. But again I knew that I had to let him go. I was dying and I couldn't love him. I didn't want him to have to be with me and marry me only for me to die.

I was going to show him that I'm happy for him and tie up the loose ends remaining in my life. I was going to show him that it didn't affect me and that I in fact moved on and was happier than ever yet inside I know my heart would pine. I wanted to see him happy- to see all my friends and family happy before I die and make the best of my time left even though it meant hiding my pain behind my smiles.

I was surrounded by my three men and I knew I would get through this time. I knew they would never let me down and let any of the others know that I was dying. They all hugged me and we stayed in a group hug, the four of us. They never left my side that night; one side was Michael holding me and the other, Demetri and Enrique. And in this moment, I knew I was blessed even though I was dying, I had the people who were most important to me holding my hand all the way and that was all I needed.