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Christmas special
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2024-10-29 19:42:56This is a Christmas special chapter. It doesn't go in line with the original book. Just like a stand-alone extra chapter. I hope you all enjoy though.
“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”
~Norman Vincent Peal
.
"I know you would rather be on your own, but are you ever going to let us change that?" Ada asked, as she steps into Cainan's room and finds him in the bed, covered up with the duvet.
This has been his routine, and for months it has been the same. Ada would always find him in his room wrapped in his duvet, either crying, sleeping or just there in silence.
"It's Christmas today. Surely there has to be something you want to do than just laying in bed and giving me the silent treatment."
"Leave, I never asked you to be here, anyway." He ground out through gritted teeth.
Ada sighs, completely frustrated with her son, she understands his grief and pain, but it's been over a year since Neriah's death and he doesn't seem like he's ready to move on and she is no psychic, but she knows this isn't what she would have wanted. Ada fears she might lose him if he continues down this road.
"So, this is what you want? To kill yourself, you need to ask yourself if this is really what Neriah would want," she demands, her r getting the better of her.
"Do not stand there and tell me what Neriah would want, mother," he warns her even though he is yet to get off the bed.
"I know she loved you and I know that in the little time she had, she lived. If you continue down this road, you will end up killing yourself."
Giving up with a loud growl, Cainan throws the bedsheets off his body to exclaim, "What do you want from me, woman?!" his face is hard and his eyes flaring
Ada knows no one is going to win this if they are both upset with each other and so she calms herself and speaks in a much tender voice than she has before. "I want you to live, and what you've been doing this year isn't living. It barely exists. This is Christmas time and the Cainan I used to know would make the most of this season. He would try to reach out, to spread love as much as he can and I know Cainan is in there somewhere." She steps towards the bed where he's currently sitting, careful not to spook him.
He shakes his head, "It's not the same, mom, I've lost so much already and it's hard to get back from all that. Inferno, my unborn child and then Neriah."
Ada understands where he is coming from and, as much as she wants him to live and be happy, it is going to take a longer time, but with help and support from the family, she believes he will find his way back to life.
She sits down on the bed and opens her arms to her son and without waiting for a second; he rushes into her arms and his eyes close.
"It's going to be fine, son, I promise you," she assures in a hushed voice, and not long after, Cainan falls asleep.
"Mr Inferno. Are you coming down or what?" Cainan's eyes snap open as he hears the familiar sing-a-song voice call out to him and he sits up in bed instantly. This has happened before, he tells himself and tries to recall, but he can't tell when.
He looks around his room in search of his mother, but he doesn't see her. Where did she take herself to this time and how long has he been sleeping? He asks himself.
The voice calling to him isn't that of his mother because his mother never calls him in such a snappy manner, not in almost ten years. Only one person had that much audacity to call him out in a snappy manner.
Neriah.
He smiles to himself, knowing her audacity has been what he loved about her.
"You know me, I will not wait for you!" she threatens, "so get yourself out here this minute or you're staying home this Christmas!"
He gets up like he was ordered and, looking down at himself, he notices that he's already dressed in a black suit and a red bow tie. His hair is in a sleek form and his face bare of beards. He looks dressed and ready for wherever it is they are going to rush out of his room down the stairs where his lovely wife awaits him.
At the sight of her, Cainan slows down in his steps and his heart leaps for joy at the woman he's seeing. Neriah in a red silk gown that holds her in all the right places and a black veil over her shoulder. Her full, coarse black hair is in a low ponytail, but having a bit of a messy touch. The gown sweeps the floor so he cannot see the heels she has under, but considering the modulation of her height this evening, he is certain she wearing a heel about 3 to 4 inches high.
She's standing and looking down at her wristwatch, not bothering to look up at him. "Whoever said women spent more time dressing up never met you." Neriah points out with a shake of her head.
He smiles at her bluntness and steals a glance at her before saying, "Don't tell anyone, I've got a reputation to maintain."
To that, she laughs, and he doesn't know if there is any sound better than her sweet laughter.
"Let's get out of here."
"Where are we going again?" he asks, a little puzzled by the way things are suddenly happening around him.
"You forgot, didn't you?" sadness plagues her voice as she keeps her eyes away from him.
'Please, can it not be something very important.' He silently prays.
"You know how I am, babe, short-term memory and all. I admit I'm getting old." he tries to cover up with the joke.
She rolls her eyes but still smiles and he pats himself mentally for a job well done. "It's my birthday today, 25th December."
His mouth opens, and it nearly hit the floor. He couldn't believe he forgot her birthday. What kind of husband forgets his wife's birthday?
A horrible one.
But he didn't forget—he didn't know to begin with and, as shameful as it sounded, he never asked or tried to find out. They met under very difficult circumstances, so things happened.
"Honey, I'm so sorry, I am a horrible husband, but happy birthday to you. I hope I can make it up to you somehow."
"It's fine, I've never really celebrated it before."
"What did we have planned?" He asks, and she gives him a ridiculous look.
She walks towards the door. "We are going to my family's place at the penthouse to celebrate Christmas and my birthday. You invited a few friends as well." She pauses and turns to look at him. "Have you been drinking again?"
No! Of course not, I never drink...
Wait...
His eyes narrow at her. "Was I drinking before?"
"Yes!" she exclaims—more of explodes in his face, "after we lost Africa, you started drinking."
Africa as in a continent or as a person? He wonders to himself in confusion.
She looks devastated and her eyes become glassy and it breaks his heart to see that happen, "You swore you were no longer drinking."
He can't believe there is a world where he is the reason Neriah feels hurt and devastated, but here he is, being the reason for her pain. What the hell has he done to her?
"And babe, believe me, I'm not drinking, I just can't remember a lot of things... like this Africa you're talking about and a few other things." He says the last part to himself.
"We should go."
They arrived at the venue thirty minutes later and though Neriah asked him to drive, but since he didn't know where they were going, he couldn't and told her he was having trouble seeing these days, especially at night.
"We should go in," she says, but he takes her hands and stops her from moving. Surprised, she looks up at him
"I think I owe you an apology, I haven't been the best husband to you in a very long while and I know you deserve better, I just want you to know that I love you so much and hurting you is the last thing on my mind."
Pain flicker in her eyes before looking down at their hands. "I understand, Cainan, you were in pain, you were grieving the loss of someone you loved. But you need to realise that I lost someone too and when you pushed me out, I didn't just lose a child, I also lost my husband."
Africa was their baby. He had a baby with Neriah, and he lost himself after losing her.
"I am sorry," he apologises in remorse, not really knowing what else to say to her.
She shakes her head and smiles at him. "I forgive you. It is time to move forward and celebrate what we have instead of holding on to what we lost. I love you."
"I promise you this, Neriah. I will change, just so that you will be happy. Consider that my Christmas gift to you."
She smiles and hugs him and he feels complete, "That's all I want."
Cainan's eyes open to realise that it was all a dream. He knows what to do now. He is going to live for her and he is going to keep the promises he made to her. And he is going to make his family and loved ones happy.
He knocked on his mother's door and waits for the door to be answered and not so long after that, the door slowly opens and Ada stands at the door, staring at him. She's in a blue lace gown and her grey hair in a neat sweep to her back. She looks so beautiful, and Keenan feels guilty for hurting her this past year.
"I'm sorry, mother, for everything I did." Her eyes grow glassy, but she blinks it back and smiles brightly at him before pulling him closer and wrapping her arms around him. "I lost the love of my life, mom, but you lost a daughter-in-law and a son at the same time and I never saw it that way until now."
"I just want to see you happy, my boy," she pulls back and reaches up to stroke his cheek. "come, join us, the whole family came for the dinner. You were the only one left out and I'm glad you're here. Now come, we are about to eat."
"One more thing mother," he dips his hand into his black winter coat and brings out a red bottle of wine, the one he knows she loves the most." Merry Christmas, Mother."
And just as he knew she would, she smiles widely, "Merry Christmas, Cainan."
Glory TinaThank you so much for reading. I truly appreciate it. If you wish to continue with Cainan story, the check out my book The CEO's Contract With The Thief. Thank you, hope to see you there. ❤️❤️
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The Idiotic Billionaire Christmas special
This is a Christmas special chapter. It doesn't go in line with the original book. Just like a stand-alone extra chapter. I hope you all enjoy though. “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” ~Norman Vincent Peal . "I know you would rather be on your own, but are you ever going to let us change that?" Ada asked, as she steps into Cainan's room and finds him in the bed, covered up with the duvet. This has been his routine, and for months it has been the same. Ada would always find him in his room wrapped in his duvet, either crying, sleeping or just there in silence. "It's Christmas today. Surely there has to be something you want to do than just laying in bed and giving m
The Idiotic Billionaire XXIV
The next five weeks that followed were what everyone around Neriah called a miracle because there were unexpected. Contrary to the one week given by the doctors and expected of her to live, Neriah spent four more weeks living, loving, working, and learning. After surviving through the first week, Cainan asked her to marry him and when she said yes, they organised a small wedding in the ward for the both of them to be joined as man and wife and Cainan was the happiest. They released many more sketches and designs as Riá-no Neriah’s clothing brand launched into the world a week after, ranging from children wears to adult wears of all sizes. It paved more way after Cainan announced that 50% of the funding would be given to the fight against cancer campaign to help families and those affected by it. Her unexplainable time extension, her marriage and work brought the attention of not just the media, but the world to her and even though Cainan kept them from getting anywhere in or near h
The Idiotic Billionaire XXIII
“You’re quiet,” Neriah points out as she and Cainan make their way back from a close-by church walking. It is a somewhat sunny Sunday and Neriah is sure that it might as well be her last and so she spends every moment like it might be her last. It was a ten minutes’ walk back home, and all Cainan has said since they began walking was “No, thank you” to Shawn, who offered them a ride back home. It was unlike Cainan to be quiet, yet Neriah notices that he was and she worried about him. “I’m sorry,” he apologises, and entwines their hands. She shakes her head and glances at him, “Don’t be, you’ve got every right to be blue and sad over Clara, you might not have been head over heels in love with her anymore, but you still cared.” “I couldn’t help her,” he said, through gritted teeth, “I had everything that could have kept her and the little one safe, but yet I couldn’t.” He says his insecurities showing in his voice. The news of Clara’s death was a sad one, and it was hard on Cainan
The Idiotic Billionaire XXII
A week later... “I think your family needs to know and even be here.” Cainan tells Neriah once they walk around the room. Since she got back from the hospital, Cainan moved her into a penthouse he got for her, he told her he rented it for the month, but he bought it in her name but because he knows how Neriah would react to him spending so much money on buying a house, he saved himself that detail. It was larger than her previous apartment, wider and much more sophisticated, and it gave Neriah the chance to move around freely and with less stress. “I will when the time is right,” she says, with a promising tone, just like she said the last time they had the discussion. He rubs his forehead slowly. “When would that be? We talked about it three days ago and you shoved it away, but we both know we don’t have the time. I don’t think it’s fair on them to keep what you’re going through from them,” He tells her. Everyday time gets shorter and as much as it is a gift to have her alive, it
The Idiotic Billionaire XXI
He let go of her hand. “What are you trying to say?” “I’ve known you for almost ten years, Cainan, so I know you’re smart enough to understand what I’m trying to say.” She says in reply. He remembers breaking things off with her over twelve weeks ago but all the while they were together, he really thought that they were safe, she told him to use protection most of the times and she was always on pills because according to her, she couldn’t bear the thought of having Hugo’s child. “It can’t be true,” his eyes drop to her somewhat swollen belly, “how?” He cannot help wanting to know the truth. Clara has never lied to him before and there was no need to lie now, especially when it put her in a dangerous place. “Hugo was on a business trip, probably one of those times in your office when we thought birth control pills were all we needed and you didn’t put on a condom?” She whispers yell at him before adding, “But don’t worry, I’m not forcing you to acknowledge or even accept the child,
The Idiotic Billionaire XX
Arriving at the hospital, the whole place is quiet and they are both grateful that they are no pressmen and reporters around. Cainan helps set Neriah into her wheelchair and rolls her inside. He opens the door and pushes her into her ward, “Well then, thanks for taking me out.” “Should you be thanking him after everything he’s put you through today?” Shawn asks, bringing their attention to him at the corner of the room. “Shawn!” Neriah says with surprise, “what are you doing here?” Neriah sees a bottle of vodka in his hand, looking almost empty. Shawn has never been one for drinking. In fact, Neriah has never seen him drink since they met and she wonders if she’s the one who has driven him into it. He moves, more of stagger to the centre of the room, still holding the vodka in full grip; “Didn’t realise I needed a reason to visit my girlfriend, besides you’re all over the internet and it’s all thanks to him.” He accuses, pointing to Cainan. “Shawn I —” Cainan tries to speak, but
The Idiotic Billionaire XIX
Cainan realises his mistake, and he runs over to her on the ground, panting and whimpering from regret. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” he says, with tears welling up in his eyes. The cameramen don’t stop taking pictures of everything and photographs “Stop doing this, stop taking pictures!” He growls with pure rage, his eyes turning red and all the veins visible on his face. They don’t stop still, but he deals with them later, so he tries to lift her into his hand, but she hit off his hand and as he looks at her she says, “Don’t carry me,” she says. “I swear, I’ll make them pay, all of them. I’ll sue them for everything they’ve got!” He vows through gritted teeth. She smiles amidst her pain, “You can’t use anger to dissolve anger, help me up.” Without question, he does as she says and brings her to her feet. She turns to the cameramen and presses her lips together before looking at every one of the twelve cameramen and reporters and she places her hand on Cainan’s before speaking. “I
The Idiotic Billionaire XVIII
“Let’s get you out of this chair and into the car, shall we?” Cainan suggests, offering her his hand. She gives him her hand, and he pulls her up, wrapping his arms around her and holding her firmly and close as he guides her towards the car. His body heats at the contact and he hopes he’s the only one feeling this because it would be unbearable if they are both having an equal reaction from the contact of their bodies. He knows his last thought was crazy as Neriah wouldn’t be one to share equal feelings with him and if she even knew about how he felt, she would try to stop him. “I feel like I’m learning how to walk,” Neriah giggles uncontrollably as she tires of the wobbly feeling in her legs every time she puts a little weight on it. “It’s expected the medication drugs you’re on are powerful. Believe me when I say you wouldn’t have been able to go so far even if you wanted to.” He explains as he guides her close to the front seat. Her legs feel numb and even she has felt it for
The Idiotic Billionaire XVII
He knows that goes against almost everything he said he’d do, which is stay away, but Mike’s words had gotten to him. Neriah has only a month to live and maybe even less than that and he knows staying away and hoping she pulls through really isn’t an option anymore. He needed to see her. It’s been a whole damn week of keeping away and what good did that do him? He only lied to himself and told himself he staying away was the best when it wasn’t. He remembers the words Ada had spoken to him about a week ago. ‘A feeling you can’t express is as painful as a heartbreak’ This past week he’d stayed away and he can recall the terrible way his heart ached throughout and he doesn’t want that anymore, he needs to see her and he knows she’s going to have a lot of question regarding his absence in the past week but he doesn’t care, he would be as sincere as he needs to be. As he gets to the door of Neriah’s ward, he knocks softly and when he hears the small voice say “come in”, he pushes the doo
