The Billionaire's Nightmare

2

~Sapphire~

My phone blasted through the awkward silence. I really should put this contraption on silent. I bent over the chair, as I pulled my phone out of my light tan Saint Laurent trench coat. I dreaded placing this wet jacket back over my peach crop top. I was hoping it would dry, though it had been a few hours in the room with my little dove, and it was still drenched.

My luck, it seemed.

John, my manager's name, flashed across the screen. I had been ignoring his calls since I landed in Jordan this morning. I hated letting him worry, though I knew I needed to sort out my thoughts with everything going on. Swiping the green arrow up, I placed my phone to my ear. "Hello John."

"Sapphire, my beautiful girl, so nice of you to answer." His cheerful loving tone was music to my ears, even if there was a touch of concern lingering. I felt horrible worrying him anyway. "Do you know how many times I called you? You were supposed to call me as soon as you landed. That was hours ago. I have been worried sick. Are you alright?"

Should we tell him how we were beaten this morning, during the flight? That as soon as we got to the hospital we found out our mother was in emergency surgery with a baby we didn't know about? How we had been given seventeen stitches on the top of our head, meds and a wrap for the three broken rips or the brace on our wrist?

No, he needn't worry. "I would have called, just had a few things come up." I replied without an ounce of emotion. He knew my tones by now after working with me for the last ten years. John found me at the young age of fifteen, the start of my modeling career. Now, he was transforming me into the singer I had always wanted to be. He has always cared for me as if I was his own daughter. We just clicked. This was something I appreciated and would never take for granted, as my own father had passed away when I was three.

"Does this have to do with Xavier?" John asked softly, tiptoeing around the sour subject. He hated my boyfriend... I guess my ex-boyfriend now, since the day he met me. He was always saying he knew something was off with him. He didn't know half of it, or maybe he had pieced it together with all the bruises he had to help me cover before taking the runway. He always asked, and I always said I was clumsily. I would hear him cry when he was alone, begging who knew who for me to just confide in him. He wanted to help so badly, I just never let him in.

"No," I whispered in reply.

"Does it have to do with that wrench of a mother?" His voice had turned stony, as if he was ready to fly here from Los Angles if I just told him one word. He was setting up my tour for my first number one hit. The record label only released one of my songs off of the album. In a short two months, my song had hit the ranking of number one in the world. John was over the moon, the progress of my one song allowed John free-range to start my bidding for our world tour.

John wasn't a big fan of my mother and I can't exactly say I blamed him. My mother turned to drugs two years after my father died, blaming me for his death. Something along the lines of my father was only out driving because he was trying to find me a princess cake. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the guilt lingering under the surface. Anyway, I have basically taken care of myself since I was five. Mother would get strung up, leaving for weeks and then showing back up like nothing happened. That was my life for ten years until John stumbled upon me. My mother didn't mind signing legal custody for him as soon as she saw the money in his pockets, not that she received a penny.

"Yes." I gave him a short answer, not even able to get into all of it right now. It was a lot for me to process, more so to even have to echo all the drama to someone else, when I only found out a few hours ago.

"What did the scummy egg donor do this time? Do I need to go there and deal with her?" His anger rivaled my exhaustion and I knew I would have to tell him soon, just... not yet.

"No. Why did you call John?" I asked, my exhaustion bleeding through the line.

"Ah, right. The record company called London won the bid. You don't have a few months anymore. I need you to head to London on Monday. I will meet you there, sweetheart. Your first show will be Friday. You sound exhausted though. Don't let that woman wear you out, nor Xavier, and make sure you get some much-needed rest." His voice held the care and love I had come to cherish, until it turned sour with his next question. "Will Xavier be coming with you?"

"No," I whispered, not wanting anyone else to hear. You would think he was right beside me. "I am leaving him in Jordan."

"Really?" John's excitement wasn't concealed well, causing a slight giggle to leave my lips. He was like a little kid being promised his favorite candy. "I will be picking you up at the airport and the pilot has already been informed about your itinerary."

"Truly. I will see you soon John." Dad. With those words, I ended the call, pulling my attention back on the baby in my arms.

A whisper of words left my lips as I gazed at the black-haired beauty, "I hope you are ready to travel, little dove, exploring the world for all its beauty. I sure am."

A series of pounding echoed from the door, causing a jump of fright out of me. The little dove whimpered in my hold. "Shhh, Shhh, everything's fine. I've got you."

My words were stronger than the stifling of nerves racing through my body. Pull yourself together, Sapphire, it is probably just the nurse. The knocking resumed again, as my breathing became uneven. I masked my emotions, taking one last deep breath, before speaking. "Come in."

"There is a gentleman here for you." The smiling blonde nurse said with a tight smile. Her eyes told me she was afraid of something. The only response I gave was a nod of acknowledgment. Xavier appeared within the room, pushing the nurse roughly. She lost her balance, as I reached a hand out to steady her. I was mortified, and I hated that I couldn't help her more, at least not with the baby being my first concern.

"You had a baby? Is it mine?" Xavier demanded with disgust. How dare he? I had been with him for ten years, and we had never had sex. We did things, anything to keep him happy, though I swore to never be like my mother. I would be married before I gave anyone my virtue. He didn't like that very much, not that it mattered anymore. I was done with him.

"Leave and call security." I commanded gently, as the nurse scurried out of the room. I had to keep reminding myself that he wouldn't hurt me here. He didn't like anyone knowing what he was doing behind closed doors. Though I had never tried to leave him before either. Thankfully, the nurse left the door cracked. "Leave."

"Not without you. If that is your child, I will forgive you this once. Leave it here and let's go." Xavier didn't care to hear anything from my mouth, only for me to follow his orders. Is he dense enough to think we had a child? I have been with him every day. Does it look like my body changed? I was grateful John never allowed me to place him on any of my contracts or bank accounts, as he had demanded many times. The negative response caused a ton of bruises and breaks. I truly thought he would change. I loved him even though he never loved me. His words were only bullets of false promises. I only regret wasting my time on him.

"I am not coming with you. WE are done." My voice was nothing more than a whisper and I hated how small he could still make me feel. I was strong. I have a doctorate degree in medical and a bachelor's in music. I was the number one model for international runways for the last ten years. Now, I have one single hit song. I was about to go on a worldly tour of all the hit places in a weeks' time. I was a star and he was the darkness. Never once encouraged me or showed any support. He dropped out of high school and didn't care to do a damn thing with his life.

"SAPPHIRE, YOU WILL STOP THIS NONSENSE AND LEAVE WITH ME NOW. IF YOU DON'T WANT ME TO TELL THE WORLD HOW MUCH OF A DIRTY WHORE YOU ARE, THEN PUT DOWN THAT.... HIDEOUS THING AND LET'S GO. WHAT'S WRONG SAPH, COULDN'T FIND A CUTE ENOUGH GUY WILLING TO ACTUALLY WANT YOU?" Xavier's yelling echoed off the walls of the room, and I am sure they floated down the hallway. Causing the baby to wail uncontrollably. Her cries only made Xavier's face twist with pure hatred and disgust. When his brown, broken eyes turned dark... I knew all hell was going to break loose.

I backed away slowly, placing the baby into the bassinet. I pushed the clear plastic pin on wheels behind me, using my small body as a shield. I might have a tiny waist, though I knew I would be big enough to block the baby from view. That was all I cared about right now.

"Good," he nodded with satisfaction. As if he thought I was following his directions and finally listening. He thought I would leave with him now, without my little dove. I really needed to name her. He was wrong. "Now, let's go."

His eyes promised a beating, though the smile on his face was sinister.

"I am not going anywhere with you. Leave. Now. Xavier." I stated blankly, not allowing him to see any ounce of the turmoil, emptiness rolling inside of me. If he wants a stone-cold wench, then I would give him one.

Before I could register what was happening, a blood-curling scream ripped out of my throat, as my lips parted with unsaid words. My scalp burned from the intensity and I felt like my hair was about to rip itself out of my scalp. The pressure increased with every tightening movement of his fist. He dragged my body against the cold floor, and towards the door. I frantically began wailing my arms, trying to grab onto anything within my reach, anything to keep him from getting me any further away from the baby.

She needed me.