The Arrangement

Chapter 25

Here you go my lovelies.  I also wanted to let you know that I want to start being a more involved author.  I've created a YouTube and Facebook fan page.  If you guys want to, comment on here, on my Facebook or YouTube page, feel free to ask me story related and personal questions and I'll make a video in response.  Let me know what you guys think!  Well, I just finished writing this over my lunch hour and haven't edited, but enjoy my darlings!  I love you! <3

Dedicated to muslimah4lyf because this was up like 2 minutes before she voted for it.  You rock!!!

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Chapter 25

We all got into Nick’s Lexus 460.  Trent was in the back seat and I was up front with Nick.  Nick had classical music playing on the radio.  I was happy with the silence, but Nick didn’t let it last long.  “So, this research, tell me about it.”

I shrugged.  “I’m trying to find the cure for cancer just like every other hopeful medical researcher.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me.”

“Well, I have this theory.  Sharks don’t get cancer like we do, so my theory is that if I can isolate the difference between our cells and theirs then I can duplicate it.”

“Why did you need Trent to fund your research?  What were you doing before?”

“When I left for Vegas, I had funding.  When I got back, I found out the government redistributed our grant to a team in California.”

“What are they doing?”

“They’re researching treatments for cancer patients and jellyfish.  The FDA likes that better because it’s a treatment of symptoms rather than a cure.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, it’s a game.  People are dying everyday from cancer, and the FDA cares more about making money rather than helping people.  A new form of treatment makes them more money that solving the problem to begin with.”

Nick nodded.  “That makes sense.”

I shrugged.  “I was in total panic mode when I found out.  I never asked Trent to fund my research, just so you know.  I never even considered asking him, he offered.”

“Really?”  Nick glanced at Trent in the rearview mirror.  

“So, that leaves us where we are now.” I shrugged.   

“Her research is important to her.  I didn’t want to see it ripped away from her.” Trent offered from the back seat.  His hand went to my shoulder and I held his hand.  

“Thank you for that.”

“Honestly, her research comes before me even,” Trent laughed.  “Isn’t that right?”

“Huh?”

“Take this morning, for example, here we are, cuddling in bed and trust me, we were up late last night.” Trent laughed to himself.  “Well worth it, but sure enough, when her alarm went off this morning, this brave girl, gets up at five in the morning and starts getting ready.  She’s determined to change the world.”

I blushed at that last.  He really had been paying a ton of attention to me.  

“You’re embarrassing her again.” Nick chimed.  “Maybe we should return the favor. What do you say Mikaela?”  Nick gave me the same devilish grin I’d seen on Trent’s features more than once.