Billionaire's Regret
Chapter 9:

Annie was for a moment thoughtful before she decided to be brave. This man beside her once owned her body and her heart but something happened as it was clear he has no recollection about her previous status in his life. She has decided not to enlighten him. He was no longer the man who was her husband. She did notice a kind of hardness about him. "Aaron, may I ask a favor?"

Annie enters the Hotel-suite after him. She was wringing her hands in worry about her request. Once inside she stood motionless looking around. The huge bedroom clearly has an en-suite bathroom but she noticed he created a working area in a part of the room. It was quickly clear this was one very professional business man. Another difference from what she once knew. She always knew he was driven but he currently found himself on a new level of professionalism that she found intimidating.

"Let me hear the request." Aaron starts to remove his jacket and tie. He wasn't looking at her but very aware of her presence in his personal space.

"May I make an international call?" Annie looked directly at him her expression serious yet hopeful.

"Who do you want to call? A boyfriend?" he asks flatly. The thought just occurred to him she might have someone waiting. Since the moment he saw her in the hospital, he effectively cut off all communication with people in Cape Cove. "I don't have a boyfriend, sir." She answered flatly.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be played a fool." He quietly hates it immensely when she calls him 'sir'.

"I don't have a personal life, sir. Until you appeared with your proposal, I had no interest in anyone." She looked directly into his widen eyes. "It's okay, leave the call." Annie moved away from him and went and stood in front of the window. She was trying her best to hide the threatening tears. Her arms wrapped around her frame keeping herself motionless. She was very worried, as it been a long time since she has talked to her son.

Aaron felt like a bastard. He noticed the sheen of withheld tears. He silently curses the doubts Grace's betrayal has created within him. He dropped his jacket on the back of a chair once he removed the cell phone. He walked closer to her and put the cell phone down on the small table already knowing she won't take it from him.

"Here is the phone. You have privacy while I am in the shower." Aaron said cool but kept his eyes on her back. He felt the urge to hold her against his frame. He disappeared into the bathroom.

Annie stood still for a long time just looking unseen in front of her. Her heart was beating fast with the renew knowledge not to jeopardize her Mom's recovery. She should also be careful not to reveal anything about Leo either. She swallowed her pride and reach for the phone. Her Mom would soon start making queries and she never lies to her.

"Hello?" Annie asks when the phone was finally answered.

"Annie...Is that you?"

She softly smacks her head. She has forgotten about the time difference. It finally dawns on her that some people in Cape Cove might be seriously worried about her absence. "James..."

"Where are you Annie? Are you okay? Your Mom is missing too." It was clear he was quickly waking up now. "The principal of Leo's school was also looking for you. I managed to calm her tension but you should give her a call." "I am in Switzerland," Annie had put the phone on speaker. She trusts no one around her.

"What are you doing there? Where is your Mom?"

"I am sorry I only called now James. Mom had a stroke. Doctor Stevens quickly made arrangements for us to come here. I didn't have a change to explain. She is recovering very nicely. I am going to have dinner with her in a while." Annie said with open relief in her voice.

"I called the police when I didn't know what happened to you both, Annie."

"I am sorry James. I had to hurry with her recovery. Thankfully her brain didn't have lasting damage. I just have to make sure there is no stress around her."

"I am glad you called Annie. I will let the police know."

"When they question to follow up, Mom is booked into the Clinic Valmont Monteux. I am staying at a nearby town house."

"I will relay the relevant information, Annie. When are you coming home?"

"I am not sure yet. The truth is the Swiss air is helping tremendously in her recovery. James...is everything okay with the house?"

"When I didn't know what had happened to you both, I lock the house Annie. I know you don't like that."

"It's okay James. Thank you for being on the lookout. I will let Mom know. How are the boys?"

"What boys?" James immediately sounded confused.

"Billy and little Ricky."

"Annie, you are too trusting. I must tell you I found Billy inside your home after I lock the place. When I ask how he gained entrance, he refuses to tell me. He just insists on convincing me he promised you something and you will know what it was. Apparently since your disappearance he seemed committed to the promise. Do you know what he was doing inside?"

Annie laughed softly with obvious happiness.

"I know what his talking about. I trust him James. I am also glad he was making use of the groceries; I was worried about that. What about little Ricky?"

"That little guy also kept his promise made certain by his Mom. He brought the rascals along that were with him the day of the breaking window."

"Thank you, James. How are you? Who is making coffee now?"

"I vow not to drink coffee until Hanna is back home." He declares with obvious relief in his voice.

"I will call again James. I lost my cell phone somewhere. I promise Mom is getting better."

"Stay safe Annie. Oh, by the way, I sometimes noticed an older man lurking around. Each time I tried to approach him, he just left."

"I see. James thanks for being there."

"Tell Hanna we all miss her."

Annie cut the call. She listened to the water. It has stopped. She placed the phone back on the table. Her mind circled around the possible lurking man being Thom Black.

"You betrayed me. You caused my Mom's stroke. What else do you want?" she questions her father without an answer obvious to her.