A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE TWENTY THREE

Theme: Lies from the depth of hell

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

LIBERTY UNION BANK

On getting to the bank, Raven made a call to the hospital line to demand for the account details she would pay the money into. After getting it, she cashed the cheque and paid all the money into the hospital’s account for her son’s medical bills.

Raven was beyond elated as she drove in excitement and relief to the hospital. It wasn’t until she got to the premises did her panic set in and she realized that she had to think of something to tell her mother.

And Raven was about to lie about where she got the money from. Even at that, she had to think of something concrete to convince her mother. Eva McKenna was not a dumb woman and she could see through a lie by a thin thread.

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HARTFORD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Stepping out of the car, her cellphone vibrated. Tiana’s name popped on the caller’s ID.

‘Hey mama.’ Tiana cooed.

‘Hey there.’ Raven responded with less enthusiasm.

‘So how did it go? I have been trying to reach you all day. And you really sound exhausted girl.’

‘I am so sorry, Tiana. My phone has been on silent mode. I had quite a long day. But I got the money.’ Raven said.

‘Really? Wow! That’s what I am talking about! I knew you would get it.’ Tiana howled in excitement.

Raven laughed. ‘I couldn’t believe it myself.’

‘Thank goodness, my baby boy would be getting off that bed soon. I can’t wait to see him up and running again.’ Tiana heaved a sigh of relief.

‘I know right. I am just as excited as you are. Let me call you back, Tiana. I need to see the doctor.’

‘Ok. Ok mama. Take all the time you need girl. I will also be at the hospital soon too. Bye, take care.’

‘You too.’ Raven ended the call, still feeling the panic and heaviness stirring within her.

She needed to get her mind off her issues and be more focused on her son. Bracing herself she entered the hospital.

The first thing Raven did was tender the payment receipt to confirm if the hospital had gotten the money. Even the doctor was more than happy to see her.

“I am so glad you were able to get the money, Miss McKenna. The operation will be carried out tomorrow.” He informed her.

“Thank you so much doctor.”

“Let us go and see him. I need to check on him too.” The doctor stood up and they exited the office.

Opening the door to the intensive care unit, Eva looked up to see her daughter’s face. She was really expectant of whatever news Raven was bringing and she hoped that it would be a good one.

“Did you get anything?” Eva asked anxiously.

Raven placed her hand on her mother’s shoulders. She massaged it gently to make her mother feel relaxed. And Eva relaxed into her daughter’s touch.

“It is all good mom. The bill has been sorted out.”

Eva’s head snapped up to look at her daughter. “Really?” She asked, turning to look at the doctor for confirmation.

“Yes, the bill has been settled, Mrs McKenna. Your grandson will be operated on tomorrow and he would be perfectly fine again. I can guarantee you a good success on his surgery.” The doctor assured them.

Eva covered her mouth with her palms to stop herself from sobbing out loud. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she weeped silently.

“Thank you so much doctor.” She sniffled.

The doctor shook his head in acknowledgement as he checked Rowan’s condition and progress. He nodded again in satisfaction before bidding both women goodbye.

“Let us get something to eat at the cafeteria mom. You look like you could do better with a strong coffee or probably a full course meal.” Raven joked.

Knowing her daughter was right, Eva stood up and attempted to follow her daughter when she noticed the ring on Raven’s finger.

“Where did you get that from, Raven?” Eva queried.

“Shit!” Raven muttered under her breath.

She was still trying to conform a lie which had prompted her to opt in for the cafeteria to have the discussion. She hasn’t prepared her speech yet.

“I… I was planning to explain things to you over a cup of coffee… mom. I really need one right now.” Raven tried so hard not to stammer.

Eva shot her an unsure stare. Raven knew her mother’s wheels were turning in her head trying to figure out what she wanted to discuss was all about.

“Let us go mom. I will tell you everything. I promise.” Raven mumbled.

Finally, after some seconds passed in absolute silence, Eva McKenna shook her head in agreement. They both made their way to the cafeteria without saying a word to each other.

After making their order, they settled down and Raven still couldn’t find the right words to say to her mother.

“Raven, you know that you would have to open up that mouth of yours and tell me what an engagement ring is doing on your finger. And a diamond ring at that!” Eva questioned impatiently.

Raven couldn’t help lowering her gaze as she played unconsciously with the ring on her finger. Taking in a deep breath, Raven shifted in her seat. “I know this would come as a shock to you and probably this isn’t the right time to say or do this…” she paused.

Raven swallowed hard to get rid of the tightness in her throat. “But I have been seeing this guy for a few months now. However, I didn’t want to be too forward to tell you about it, I didn’t want to jilt it and I wanted to be sure if he is the right one for me. And… and now he proposed to me today.” She waved her hand in the air to flaunt her ring with a forced smile on her face.

Raven was surprised at how smooth the lies had came out of her mouth.

“Doesn’t he have a name?” Eva quipped.

Raven had to clear her throat deeply to say the name. “His name is… Chris… Christopher Crawford.”

“What?!” Eva spat out almost choking on her coffee. “Are you drunk?” She asked.

“Mom, have you forgotten that I don’t drink.” Raven replied.

“Right. Did you just mention Christopher Crawford? Like Crawford of Crawford Corporation?!” Eva demanded with a wide eye.

“Yes mom. Why? What’s wrong? Perhaps, do you know him?” Raven seemed confused at her mother’s sudden outburst and facial expressions.

“Who doesn’t know the Crawford? They are an household name. They are like… one of the richest in the country. So how the hell did you meet a billionaire and hid it all away from me?!”

Raven sighed in relief. She didn’t realize that she has been holding her breath. “I already stated the reasons why I didn’t tell you about our relationship. Actually mom, he paid for Rowan’s hospital bills. He has been proposing for a while but I had been stalling. But I decided to agree to it now knowing that he cares for not just me but my son too.”

Lie number two. Raven counted in her head. These are lies from the depth of hell. And she was really getting out of hand and going out of her principles of being honest and truthful.

“Oh my goodness! I don’t even know what to say. I am so speechless. But that’s so thoughtful of him.” Eva commented.

“Yes mom. And we are probably getting married in the next two weeks!” Raven dropped the bombshell which she had dreaded the most of all the things she was to tell her mother.

A deafening silence filled the entire cafeteria and Raven was lost in the world of just her mother and herself, forgetting every other persons in the room.

Eva looked so white as all the color drained from her face. “Have you finally lost your mind, Raven? What is the rush all about?!” Eva practically screamed at her daughter and it caused people around to stare back at them.

“Tune your voice down mom. We are so much in love is what this is about. And I am ready to walk down the aisle with him. Listen mom, I don’t want anything lousy but just a few family around that’s all. Please mom, all I want is your blessing to live happily with Christopher Crawford.”

Eva looked straight into her daughter’s eyes. “You have got these all planned out right?” She sounded disappointed.

Eva had been disheartened when her only child has initially gotten pregnant out of wedlock. But knowing the kind of daughter she had, she had no choice but to stand by her and trust her.

And Eva was still the proudest mother of how far her daughter has come. She would be glad about every of her achievements but getting engaged out of the blue and intending to get married almost immediately was highly shocking.

“Mom, I really love-”

“Stop!” Eva interrupted as she took a slight pause.

She observed her daughter but she couldn’t read the emotions in her eyes despite the fact that she could feel a calmness around her.

Raven did a good job at hiding her emotions. She tried to display a smile that would make her mother believe that she was in love.

Eva inhaled deeply. “If you are going to get married at least let me get to meet him and not to forget thanking him for saving my grandson’s life. Does Tiana knows about this?”

The question caught Raven off guard which means that she has to lie again. “Yes… yes mom… she knows about it.”

Eva shook her head continuously. “It is obvious you took your time.” She murmured.

“I needed to be sure that he is the right one… mom.” Raven replied.

They stayed silent for a while until a vibration from Raven’s phone broke off the silence.