Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 201

*Michael*

The following day, I awoke to the feeling of dread. I had to get ready to head into the office to supervise a meeting over an important deal the company was in the process of closing. The dread stemmed mostly from leaving Shelby alone all day. I’d grown accustomed to staying home with her and enjoying her company as opposed to working seventy-five to eighty hours a week.

I rolled out of bed and prepared for the day ahead. After sending a quick text message to Reggie to let him know I’d be sitting in, I ate a quick breakfast, then kissed a still-sleeping Shelby softly on the lips before heading into the office.

I headed straight for the conference room when I arrived at the office. Reggie was already waiting for me with an agenda in hand.

“How’s Shelby?” Reggie asked me while we waited for everyone else to file into the room.

“She’s hanging in there. This pregnancy has been brutal. She doesn’t do well with bedrest and constant downtime,” I said while checking my phone to see if she had texted me yet.

“She’s stubborn, but she’s always going to do what’s best for the babies. She’s selfless. You really lucked out with that one, Michael,” Reggie said, a calm smile on his face.

“Thank you. Do you want me to take the lead during this meeting, Reg, or are you comfortable handling everything?” I asked him as I leaned over to read a few financial reports.

“I can take the reins. I am the acting CEO, after all.” He wriggled his eyebrows at me as if to say, “I got this old man.”

Once the meeting started, Reggie stood at the head of the table, eyes scanning the faces of his colleagues filed in around him. He began with a crisp voice, and each word was articulated perfectly as he went through the items on the agenda. People interrupted with questions, which he answered with precision and clarity, explaining how decisions in the present could affect operations in the future.

Reggie had grown since we first met. It was inspiring to see him take ownership of his position and work so hard for the company. He was a real leader, not just a follower, and he was every bit of the commanding CEO I had always hoped he would become.

Once the meeting ended, Reggie thanked everyone for their time and let them know they’d all meet again tomorrow to hash out the final details. He then turned to me and said, “Can we go into my office and chat a bit more about some scheduling plans and financial stuff? I think there are a few things you need to review before we make any final decisions.”

I smiled in acknowledgment and followed him out of the conference room. We walked through the office, exchanging small talk until we arrived at his office. He opened the door for me and gestured for me to take a seat while he walked around his desk and sat down as well.

Reggie proceeded to walk me through each document one by one, providing anecdotes and relevant information as we went along.

“You know, Michael, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. I feel like I’m getting the hang of this job and my confidence is growing each day. But I don’t want to disappoint you or the company by making decisions that aren’t beneficial either,” Reggie began with earnestness in his voice.

I leaned forward in my chair and looked him in the eye. “Reggie, you’ve done an amazing job so far. Don’t worry about disappointing me or anyone else. I believe in you and your ability to make smart decisions that will lead the company forward.”

Reggie smiled widely at my words, obviously relieved to hear them from me. We spent a few more minutes going over documents before we concluded our meeting for the day. As we stood up to leave his office, Reggie thanked me for taking the time out of my busy schedule tending to Shelby to sit with him–something he greatly appreciated.

“Do you want to walk down to the coffee shop to grab a coffee and catch up? I don’t want to keep you away from Shelby, but we’ve missed you around here,” Reggie asked.

“Oh, absolutely. Shelby’s prepared for me to be gone most of the day. Lead the way, my friend,” I said as I gestured to the elevator.

Reggie and I took the elevator down, walked through the corridor, and out the giant revolving glass doors onto the street. The air was humid and smelled heavily of exhaust.

We turned a corner and entered the coffee shop, a small mom-and-pop business that had been around forever. The interior was retro, something out of the ’50s or ’60s. There was wood paneling as far as the eye could see and linoleum tables and chairs.

We stood in line to order a drink, and the owner waved us up and said, “What can I get you, gentlemen?”

“Hello, I’ll take a large black coffee and a chocolate croissant. Reg?” After I ordered, I looked back expectantly at my friend.

“I’ll have the same, thanks,” he ordered before walking off to find a table by the windows. I stood by the counter and waited for the food and coffee to be ready.

“Here you go, sir,” the sweet elderly woman said as she passed me two coffee cups and two warm bags holding our treats.

I took them from her wrinkled, slightly cold hands and thanked her by slipping a $50 bill into her palm. “Keep the change.” Her eyes widened, and I just smiled.

“So what’s new in your life, Reg? Mine is always chaos, so I feel like that’s all anyone ever wants to talk about,” I said as I sat at the table and handed Reggie his coffee and croissant.

“Well, I work a lot of hours, so I don’t have much to tell. I’m thinking about taking sailing classes in my spare time. I want an excuse to buy a sailboat. I’ve wanted one since I was a kid,” he mused with a child-like smile on his face.

“What’s the point in making all this money if you aren’t making your childhood dreams come true?” I asked, chuckling. I had been known to spend money on frivolous things on occasion.

“Very true. But when the hell am I gonna find the time to sail? Think I can find one big enough to add a conference room for meetings?” Wide-eyed and laughing, Reggie nudged my arm as he asked this.

We spent the next half an hour catching up and discussing what a badass Shelby was for handling everything life had thrown at her lately.

“She’s taking time off work, right?” Reggie naively asked me.

“Have you met the woman? She’s obviously not going into the office, but she’s still working from her bed. I’ve tried telling her a million times to chill out, but she says her work is relaxing,” I told him, equal parts annoyed and inspired by my beautiful wife.

Reggie chuckled. “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as dedicated to their work as Shelby. It’s admirable, really.”

I nodded in agreement, proud of my wife’s work ethic but also concerned for her health. “I just wish she would take a break and focus on herself for a little while.”

Reggie leaned back in his chair, his eyes lingering on me for a moment before he spoke. “Michael, can I be honest with you about something?”

I nodded, intrigued by the sudden change in his demeanor.

“I’ve noticed how much you care about Shelby and her well-being. You’re a great husband, but I also think you need to take care of yourself more,” Reggie said in a serious tone. “You work too hard, and you don’t take enough time for yourself. It’s important to find a balance.”

His words hit me hard, and I realized he was right. I’d been so focused on my work and taking care of Shelby that I had neglected my own needs.

“Thank you, Reggie. You’re right, I need to work on finding that balance,” I said, feeling grateful for his honesty and concern.

Reggie smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “That’s what I’m here for. We all need someone to look out for us.”

The conversation continued until my phone buzzed with a text from Shelby.

“I miss you,” it read. “And I’m hungry.”

I smiled at her words, but a pang of guilt crept into my chest. I hated leaving her alone in such a vulnerable state. After all the s**t that’s happened with Marmie, I don’t even like letting her out of my sight. There was staff there, but it wasn’t the same, and I was guessing this text meant she had a craving for something she wanted me to get her.

The time that had passed since Shelby and I met really opened my eyes to the dangers of the world and the lengths people would go to get what they wanted. And yet, here I was, taking a break from work, miles away from her. I typed out a quick reply.

“Almost done. I’ll be home soon. I love you.”

As I hit send, I thought about how true those three small words were. I loved her. More than anything. She had become everything to me. I’d burn the world and everything in it just to see her smile.

“It was great seeing you today, Michael. Don’t be a stranger. But please don’t feel like you have to be in here all day every day. Shelby needs you more than we do right now,” Reggie reassured me as I stood up and turned a handshake into a slap on the back.

“Seeing you in action today has reminded me that I only hire the best. I’m not worried, and I know you’ll call me if you need anything,” I answered as we parted ways. I rushed out of the office, eager to get back to Shelby.

The sun was setting as I drove home, the sky turning into a fiery display of oranges and pinks. I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with appreciation at how far my business had come in such a short amount of time. It had placed the right people in control so that it ran smoothly without me needing to be constantly present, giving me an incredible sense of freedom that I never thought was possible.

I was stuck in a fog of my own thoughts as I drove until the shrill ringing of my phone jolted me out of it. I saw it was my hacker and immediately answered. My knuckles whitened around the steering wheel as I listened to his voice, the words hitting me like thunderbolts.

My heart raced and adrenaline surged through me as I pushed on the accelerator hard, desperate to make it to Shelby to fill her in on everything I had learned.