Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
Halston was sitting in the garden. He was tapping his foot on the ground, seemingly impatient. When he heard footsteps behind him, he heaved a sigh of relief as if he was a child waiting for school to end.
“What took you so long?” He tried to sound casual, but the displeasure in his voice was clear. He had been waiting for her instead of that cup of coffee. He didn’t know when he had started to rely on her, but now, she made him feel safe.
“Don’t you know that good things come to those who wait? Of course, a good cup of coffee needs some time to brew.” She handed the steaming cup of coffee to him and said confidently, “I know you’ll love it.”
“Are you that confident?” Halston was an extremely picky person, and did not think that the coffee she made would suit his taste. However, the second he took a sip, his eyes widened in shock. The familiar taste coated his tongue, and the fog in his head seemed to disappear.
Incredulity dawned on him. “This coffee…”
“What do you think?” Flossie looked at the man eagerly.
“This is the most delicious coffee I’ve ever had. It reminds me of… an old friend.” Halston said softly, then closed his eyes and took another sip, savouring the smooth and rich flavour. Even though he was an extremely picky person, this cup of coffee was indeed impeccable. It was so perfect that he was sure he had become addicted to it.
“That’s for sure. This is my masterpiece.” Flossie grinned, lifting her chin proudly. She learned how to brew coffee for Halston’s sake. She became more motivated when she saw how much he enjoyed it, and it made her feel that all her efforts were worthwhile.
Halston drank more coffee, and his muddled mind felt clearer. Scenes of a familiar woman flashed in his mind, but he could never see who she was. Whenever he tried, his head started to ache.
“Damn it!” Halston groaned, his eyebrows knit tightly as he rested his head in his hands. He looked pained, and a thin layer of sweat had appeared on his forehead.
.
“What’s wrong?” Flossie immediately stepped forward and held his shoulders, asking in concern.
“I seem to have had this coffee before. It evoked some memories, but they were all so blurry… My head hurts so much. It’s so painful!” Halston’s head was spinning and his breathing was ragged. He felt so nauseous he almost threw up.
“Don’t… Stop thinking about it. Relax, and take deep breaths.” Flossie panicked when she remembered what the doctor had said. She stroked his back gently, trying to make him relax.
Halston’s condition was very complicated. His brain had undergone major surgery, so he could not overwork it. If he forced himself to recall things, it could injure his brain, and could even lead to death.
Flossie had always been careful when she took care of him, and tried her best not to talk too much. He had been fine so far, but to her surprise, it had been that small cup of coffee that carried the biggest impact.
“Where did I have this kind of coffee?” Halston’s thin lips became pale and his low voice was slightly shaky. Even though he was in deep pain, he held on and forced himself to recall those memories. “There’s always a blurry figure in my mind – a graceful and charming figure in the garden of Guajardo Villa… D*mn it! My head hurts!”
Suddenly, he was overwhelmed with rage. He clenched his fists and hit his head repeatedly, breathing heavily. “I’m a worthless piece of trash that can’t even use his own brain. What’s the point in living like this?!”
“No, stop that!” Flossie quickly pulled him into her embrace and shielded his head with her slender arms. Her heart ached for him, and she sobbed, “You’re hurt. It’s normal that you don’t remember things. As you recover, you’ll recall those memories, I promise. Don’t hurt yourself this way, or you might not be able to remember anything at all.”
Halston finally became quiet.
Flossie’s warm and sweet embrace was like a tranquilliser for him, and Halston gradually calmed down. He was now nestled quietly in her arms like an injured kitten.
“Everyone will encounter setbacks no matter how strong they are. You’ve always led an easy life, so maybe these are some difficulties you’ll have to face. Don’t lose your cool, I promise you’ll get through this.” Flossie patted his back gently as if she was coaxing Adie or Abby. Her gentle voice and sweet scent enveloped him like a soft breeze.
No man could escape from such tenderness, including Halston. He was entranced by this woman, and it confused him. He grabbed her hand and demanded, “What did you do to me? Why do I always feel calm when you’re near me?”
Flossie’s wrist was injured, and his grip reopened her wound. She gasped in pain, and stammered, “I… I was just trying to talk some sense into you, I didn’t do anything to you!”
Flossie gritted her teeth, trying to drown out the pain.
Halston tightened his grip on her hand and growled menacingly, “I can’t wait until I can see again. Tell me now – what kind of past did we have? The person I love the most is Seraphina, so what kind of witchcraft are you using to confuse me?”
He wanted to know the truth because he couldn’t stand the pain of trying to remember. Everytime he tried to recall something, it felt like someone was taking a scalpel to his brain, and the pain was enough to drive anyone mad.
“I… Ah!” Flossie whimpered in pain, unable to hold it back any longer.
“What’s wrong?” Halston immediately released her hand.
“Nothing. It’s just that your grip was too strong and it hurt me.” Flossie inhaled deeply as she adjusted the bandage on her wrist. Blood was oozing out of the wound, staining the bandages red.
Flossie thought bitterly, ‘How pathetic. Just a bit of force and I bleed this much. If an enemy comes after me now, I’ll be doomed.’
Flossie tried to calm herself down, but before she could, Margaret’s nervous voice called out, “Miss Flossie, er… Something’s wrong!”
Margaret rushed into the back garden. She was about to say something but became hesitant when she noticed that Halston was around.
“It’s fine, Margret. Tell me what’s wrong.” Flossie glanced at Halston and said to Margaret calmly.
“Someone came to create trouble, and Mr. Walker and the others couldn’t stop them. I think you and Mr. Guajardo should hide for a while,” Margaret said anxiously.
It was obvious that the troublemaker was someone who was hard to deal with, but Flossie was not born a coward. She always faced trouble head on, and would try her best to resolve the matter.
“Since they came all this way, I doubt they’re going to leave that easily. Let me see what they’re going to do,” Flossie said coldly, bracing herself to face the intruder.
Margaret noticed the blood oozing out of Flossie’s wrist, and gasped softly. “Miss Flossie, your hand…”
Halston said coldly, “What’s wrong with her hand?”
“Her hand…” Margaret started to say worriedly, but was interrupted by Flossie.
“My hand is fine. I accidentally cut myself.” Flossie quickly said, not wanting Halston to know the truth about her hand injury. If he found out what she was doing, he would refuse to use her blood as a medicine, and all her efforts would be futile.
“Do you think I’m so easily fooled?” Halston’s instincts told him that was not the case, and his handsome features turned cold. “Tell me what’s going on!”
Before anyone could say anything, the trouble Margaret mentioned burst onto the scene.
It was none other than Jovan.
“My dear cousin, that’s not very cool of you…” Jovan was dressed smartly in a suit with his hair slicked back, and he walked towards them gracefully. His lips curved upwards into a smirk, and he said teasingly, “I heard you had a little accident, cousin of mine. The Guajardos and the Murphys are doing all they can to look for you, but here you are, clinging to a woman you can’t seem to leave. You certainly know how to enjoy life.”
“Jovan, what are you doing here?” Flossie stood in front of Halston protectively, and glared at Jovan like he was a monster.
“Trying to be the knight in shining armour, Flossie? I don’t think your ‘damsel in distress’ would appreciate it.” Jovan scoffed, staring at Flossie and Halston shrewdly. “Woman, do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused?”
However, Flossie ignored Jovan and turned to Margaret. “Margaret, get Halston out of here. I’ll handle this.”
Margaret nodded and held Halston’s arm. “Mr. Guajardo, please come with me.”
“Don’t touch me!” Halston scowled and shoved Margaret’s hand away coldly, then snarled, “Who do you think I am? Do I look like a coward that hides behind women? I’m not as useless as that!”
“Er…” Margaret stood there awkwardly, glancing at Flossie for help.
Flossie turned around and said to Halston, “No one thinks you’re a coward, but this person isn’t a kind man. You’re in a disadvantageous situation right now, and if you keep this up, you’ll only fall into his trap.”
“So what? This is a matter of the Guajardo family, and you’re just an outsider. What do you know?” Halston was too proud to admit defeat in this battle between men. Like Flossie, he usually faced trouble head- on, and would keep fighting no matter what it cost him.
“Jovan, what is it you want?” He turned towards Jovan and asked sharply. Halston knew this day would have come sooner or later. Jovan had compromised for so many years, waiting for the day Halston would admit defeat. Halston had not expected him to make his move now, and was somewhat curious as to what he was planning.
“Good, Halston. I knew you were a man of integrity, and that’s why you’ve always been my role model since we were kids…” Jovan cracked a fake smile. “I didn’t come here alone. The eight members of the board of directors will be here soon. They’re very worried about your safety, so they hired a professional medical investigation team to evaluate your health.”
“A professional medical investigation team?” Halston scoffed coldly. “It’s all just a pretence, isn’t it? Everything’s already been decided.”
“Halston, why would you say that? The directors sincerely care about your health because the future of H Group lies in your hands. Nothing will go wrong…”
Jovan held his hands out, looking remorseful. “Well, you know the rules of H Group…”