Page 14 of Billionaire In Vegas

Chapter Four

We satin a meeting space not too far from the restaurant. There were just the two of us and I felt numb. I’d known Oliver was sick, Kadija had hinted at it. I was well aware Oliver wasn’t in the best of health, but I’d thought Kadija had been exaggerating once I actually had the opportunity to meet him in person. He’d seemed to be in perfect health and I found myself saying so to Jude.

“I’d heard he wasn’t doing great, but I thought it was a gross exaggeration.”

Jude laughed bitterly. “Apparently it wasn’t.”

I didn’t know what to say. I’d never been in this predicament. I’d never had to endure through the knowledge that someone close to me was dying. I looked at Jude, studying him. He was turned half away from me, leaning against a wall, just staring out the window with his arms crossed.

He didn’t seem upset, just contemplative. He hadn’t said much after he dropped the news of his dad’s condition. He’d been about to walk off when I’d reached out and stopped him, asking to speak to him alone. Misha and Emmaline had been very accommodating, telling me they’d wait outside for me.

Jude had led me into the conference room, closing it behind us, not saying much of anything as he stood much like he was now, staring out the window.

I felt I needed to say something. Something reassuring. Something considerate. I really wanted to, but I didn’t know how.

I was still struggling to find the words when Jude turned towards me and said, “I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to stand here feeling sorry for myself or my father.” He laughed bitterly. “I bet that’s why he sent me on this bogus trip yesterday. He told me he needed me to check up on The Xerxes personally. I fell for it, thinking he was finally going to let me help out some.”

I stayed silent and he shook his head as if to clear it before saying, “He probably knew well before yesterday he was dying. He just wasn’t man enough to tell me himself. He left it to his lawyer to tell me. Can you believe that? He sent me out of town on some bogus trip because he couldn’t tell me the truth, couldn’t tell his own son face-to-face. And his lawyer didn’t even call me directly! He called the hotel to reach me and Renee tracked me down. This is ridiculous!” He slammed his fist down on a table and I jumped, startled.

I could hear the pain in his voice and I blinked back tears, not knowing how to react to his anger and underlying sorrow.

Abruptly he said, “I’m sorry. I’m not yelling at you… it’s just everything… everything about this situation has me—never mind. I’ll see you later, Lacey.”

“But—what—we should talk about this,” I called after him. “Where are you going?” I grabbed his elbow stopping him from leaving, searched his face for some sort of emotion, but all I saw was resignation and anger. I definitely didn’t see sadness anymore.

“Where am I going? I’m going to enjoy my time in Vegas. I’m going to get drunk... and I suggest you do the same.”

He left me standing there and sauntered out the door as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

I watched him leave, a little taken aback, and then made my way out the conference room. I was accosted by my friends before I even crossed the threshold.

“What happened?” Misha asked, her eyes filled with concern.

I shrugged. “Not sure.”

“He looks so familiar. Who is he?” Misha said wondering out loud.

Emmaline chirped, “Ice cream guy? That’s him, isn’t it?”

I nodded solemnly. “Unfortunately.”

I filled them in on my second encounter with Jude on his father’s property.

“God, you have the worst luck with first and second impressions, don’t you?” asked Misha.

“Yeah that first lunch between you all must have been a little awkward,” Emmaline added.

“You have no idea.”

“Soooo.... what do you want to do now? I know it must not be the best time to celebrate, but it’s still your birthday.” Misha was right, but it didn’t feel right. I liked Oliver and I was sad that I wouldn’t get to know him better, but at the same time, he was mostly a stranger to me.

“I sort of feel guilty thinking about having fun when my employer is apparently dying.”

“I understand,” Emmaline started. “But from the sound of it, he probably already knew and wanted you to have this as a gift.”

Misha chimed in, “I think Emmaline’s right.”

I knew they were probably right, but I was still a little unsettled. I needed a drink. A stiff one. My employer was dying and I was living it up on his dime for my birthday. It just didn’t seem right, but apparently, it was what he wanted.