Page 220 of The Rebel Billionaire

“If it will make you feel better.”

“I’m hoping it will make you feel better.”

Keith drops her off at the private practice I use on the way to the office.

She leans over.

“I’ll see you later,” she says, placing her lips against mine.

“Only if he says you’re okay to come into work.”

She rolls her eyes as she gets out of the car.

I’m pleased she’s agreed to go to the doctor. I wasn’t joking when I said she’d lost weight since she had the gastro bug. She’s also tired, still suffering from cramps and is turned off by food she previously loved.

* * *

Keith drops me off.

“Shall I collect Ms Brooke?” he asks.

“You can,” I say.

I know she’ll baulk at the idea, but she is my girlfriend. She practically lives with me now.

I make my way up to my office. Elise isn’t due back until Monday. Something about hiking in Monte San Primo with some Italian friends she met.

Brooke’s desk phone rings as I pass.

“Alex Bianchi.”

“No Brooke?” a voice I recognise asks.

“She has an appointment. What can I do for you, Pete?” I ask.

“I was…” He tells me about some issues he’s encountering.

“Hold on, I’m not at my desk. Let me grab a piece of paper.”

I retrieve Brooke’s key from its hiding spot and unlock her drawers. She’s tidy, so nothing is left out in the open.

I grab some paper from the top of a stack of files.

I scribble down the points Pete is making to ensure I have a record.

“I’ll add these to the agenda of our next board meeting. See what the consensus is.”

“Great. Catch up soon.”

“You too, Pete.”

We disconnect, and I go to shut the drawer. I smile as I see the top file. Brooke Notes. My mind wanders back to when she first came to work for me, the copious notes she took, terrified she’d forget something. I pick it up and open it.

I frown, pulling out a stack of paper.

I tense, my chest tightening.

Bile burns the back of my throat, a tremor running through my body.