A condition

A DEAL WITH THE BILLIONAIRE

(A Contract Marriage)

EPISODE TWO 

THEME: A Condition

  IN CONNECTICUT: VALLEY HOSPITAL

          TWO WEEKS LATER

Christopher Crawford is a perfect combination of good looks and wealth. A handsome thirty years old young looking man. And he is a managing director at Crawford Corporation.

On a Saturday afternoon, Christopher received a call from his mom that his father collapsed at work and has been taken to the hospital. He rushed down to valley hospital where he met his mom, elder sister, her husband and his younger sister sitting in the hallway as they waited for the doctor to come out from the private ward to give feedback about Mr Crawford’s condition.

“Mom, how is dad doing?” Christopher asked as he got closer to his family members.

“We are yet to hear from the doctor.” Mrs Ashley King, the first child of Mr Crawford, a wife to Mr Matthew King and a mother of three children responded to her brother’s question.

“I hope he is fine.” Mrs Hope Crawford mumbled to herself.

Christopher went close to his mother and crouched down in front of her, holding her hands in the process.

“I believe dad will be fine.” Christopher gave her hand a small squeeze.

Tears sting in Mrs Crawford’s eyes just at the mere thought of losing her husband.

“He doesn’t listen to me anymore. I told him not to go to work on a weekend but he was so adamant about meeting this particular Italian investor.” Mrs Hope Crawford blinked back tears.

“Mom, you know dad always like to be the one to negotiate with foreign investors.” Mrs Ashley King said.

Mrs Hope Crawford nodded in agreement. “Yes I know. But Christopher once did a good job at negotiating with an investor. So why won’t your dad let him handle the works at the company?” She sniffed and stared at her only son.

“I agree with you. Dad should retire already so Christopher can take over. He is old and the stress from work is too and it is wearing him out.” Miss Ava Crawford, twenty three years old and the last child of Crawford agreed to her mom’s words.

“Mom, please let dad be the one to make such decisions himself. If he thinks that he can still handle works at the company then it is fine.” Christopher said in a calm tone.

“So we can always be here at the hospital every time? No, I don’t agree and he has to retire from work. I am going to make sure of it.” Mrs Hope Crawford replied with a serious look on her face.

“Relax mom...dad will be fine.” Christopher gave her a reassuring look. He stood up to his feet.

The door to the private ward opened and a doctor and two nurses stepped out to the Crawford family. Mrs Hope Crawford stood up quickly and the rest of the family rushed to meet the doctor.

“Doctor, how is my husband?”

“How is my dad doing?”

“Is my dad okay?”

The Crawford questioned at the same time with an uncertain, sad and unhappy looks on their face. The doctor who has been the Crawford family doctor for years now smiled.

“Mr Crawford is doing just fine.” He said.

Sighs of relief escaped from each of them.

“So what went wrong again?” Mrs Hope Crawford asked.

“He suffered from a mild heart attack but we were able to resuscitate him. But I’ll advice that he stays away from work and have a bed rest until he gets better.” Doctor Jeremiah explained Mr Crawford’s health condition and how he thinks the old man can get better.

The Crawford family nodded in understanding and thanked the doctor that was almost mr Crawford’s age before he walked away with the nurses following closely behind him.

The Crawford family filed into the private ward at the permission of the doctor that they could see him. Mr Crawford sat up on the bed with two pillows popped behind him to help him stay comfortable while talking to his family. He didn’t want to lay on his back looking so sick so it won’t scare his wife. He  didn’t want to give his family the impression that it might take long for him to recover.

Mr Crawford had a small smile on his face. “What’s that look on your face, darling?”

Mrs Crawford shot her husband a glare knowing that he was trying to joke around.

“Come on darling, look at me, I am doing just fine. It is just a mild heart attack.” He chuckled.

Mrs Crawford sighed. “You scared me. I am sick and tired of rushing to this hospital at a call.”

Mr Crawford arched his eyebrows. “Oh! Are you complaining? I thought we vowed in sickness, good health and till death do us apart.” He said with a feigned frown on his face.

Mrs Hope Crawford furrowed her eyebrows. “Do you think I am quitting on you? How can you think of me that way?!” She raised her voice slightly.

“That’s how I see it. I need you by my side even if I might die soon.” Mr James Crawford said.

Mrs Hope Crawford shook her head. “I can’t believe this is happening! How dare you talk about death so easily? How do you want me to deal with these children?!” She grimaced with tears forming at the corners of her eyes. She was scared of losing her husband to death.

Christopher and the rest of the family laughed. They knew their father was teasing their mother again.

“It is clear that your mom still loves me very much.” Mr Crawford laughed.

Mrs Hope Crawford looked back at her children. “How can you laugh in this situation?” She demanded.

“Mom, it’s clear dad is fine. How can he still crack jokes and tease you in this condition...he is fine.” Christopher chuckled.

“Don’t mind your mom, she is just scared of loosing me.” Mr Crawford shot his wife a wink.

Mrs Crawford tried not to burst into tears at that moment, realizing that her husband had just pulled his teasing game on her again.

“This is not funny, Crawford.”  She pointed a finger at him.

He stretched out his hand towards his wife. “Come here.” And she didn’t hesitate to go to him. “Sit down.” He instructed her to sit next to him on the bed and she did.

Mrs Ashley King, her husband and Ava sat on the long couch while Christopher choose to stand.

“I am sorry darling for scaring you. And I promise this won’t happen again.” Mr Crawford apologized to his wife.

“You said these same words the last time.” Mrs Crawford frown deepened.

“I never made such promise to you. All I do is apologize to you.” Mr Crawford interjected as he kissed the back of her palm.

“Listen Crawford, how do you want me to believe you?” Mrs Crawford huffed.

Mr James Crawford heaved a sigh. “What do you want? How do I make you believe me? Of course, I always have my plans. And I have made my decisions.” He looked at Christopher.

“What decisions?” Mrs Hope Crawford demanded.

“I want Christopher to take over the company. I am retiring from my position as the CEO.” Mr Crawford announced.

A smile formed on Mrs Crawford face. “You have made a wise decision, honey.”

Christopher exchanged glances with his siblings before looking back at his father.

“Are you sure dad?” He asked.

Mr Crawford nodded his head in response. “You are the rightful heir to the Crawford Corporation.”

“Congratulations, Christopher.” Mr Matthew King spoke up for the first time since he has been at the hospital. Gentle and calm, he is a man of little words.

“Not too soon, Matthew. But if Christopher becomes the CEO then that means you will take over his position as the managing director.” Mr Crawford looked straight at his first child who has a surprised look on her expression.

“Really dad?!” Mrs Ashley gasped out.

“Yes. Matthew is doing a great job at the company as a business expert. And since he is part of the family now then he should have a share at Crawford Corporation too.” Mr James Crawford responded.

“This is the best decision you have made this year.” Mrs Crawford smiled.

“You said this same line when I bought you a million dollar handbag. Right?” Mr Crawford asked, looking at the rest of the family and they laughed.

“Come on honey, it’s the best because you have chosen your health over-“

“I am not done stating my decisions. Let me finish before you start up your lectures.”  Mr Crawford interrupted his wife.

“What else do you have to say?” Mrs Crawford questioned.

Then Mr James Crawford dropped the bomb which Christopher or anyone never expected at that moment.

“Christopher needs to get married before attaining the position as the CEO.” He stated.

“Oops...” Ava muttered.

“That shouldn’t be a problem. He has a girlfriend and they have been dating for years now. Right son?” Mrs Crawford looked at her son.

Christopher smiled. His father’s condition wasn’t a hard one even though he never expected it. Getting married before becoming a CEO. He has a girlfriend. The love of his life, Jessica Campbell. All he needs to do is propose to her, she would say yes and they would get married and fulfill the plans they had mapped out for the future. Christopher thought.

“Getting married to the right woman is the most important when choosing a life partner. It doesn’t matter if you have been dating her for years, she still might not be the one for you. Son, think-“

Mrs Crawford cuts in. “Jessica is a good girl. I have met her a few times.”

“Yes dad, Jessica is the right woman for Christopher and they both love each other so much.” Mrs Ashley King added.

“Alright, if you all think she is the perfect woman for him. If you start a family of your own, it adds to your badge of capability towards running the company as a responsible man. Invite your fiancée over for dinner and let us make the necessary arrangements in three weeks.”  Mr James Crawford stated his demands.

“Three weeks?” Christopher gasped out with his jaw dropping immediately.

Mr Crawford shook his head. “Yes, three weeks. Is there a problem?” He asked.

“No there is no problem. But dad don’t you think three weeks -“

“Too fast? Too early? Too late? Come on Christopher, we don’t have all the time to waste. I want to retire to be with my wife. So I’ll run the company as the CEO temporarily until you bring your woman home.” Mr Crawford said, a more serious look on his face.

“But the doctor said you need to rest.” Mrs Crawford countered immediately.

“A good reason why you should persuade your son to bring his woman home.” Mr Crawford replied.

“But dad I can run the company as the CEO and bring my woman along-“ Mr Crawford interrupted him by raising his hand up.

“For now I’ll run the company in your place but after you get married I’ll step down.”  Christopher tried to protest but his dad silenced him. “I am not changing my mind.” He said in resignation.

“Okay dad.” Christopher agreed. He knew that was final. His father already made up his mind.