He felt a smile lift the corner of his lips, as he thought back to little Patsy toddling around his legs, as he spent time with Nicole. She had become attached to him from the very first moment he came through her doors. Over the years of watching her grow up she’d squeezed a piece of his heart.
He hadn’t heard Patsy was hurt. He decided to make some calls and get some background information on the situation. He needed to be well prepared when Nicole stepped through his doors. He’d been incredibly surprised by her call. He wasn’t having any more surprises when she stepped back into his life. He also needed to speak to his uncle. He didn’t know what the old man was up to but he knew not to give his number out to anyone. His uncle should’ve taken her number and given it to Ryan. That way he wouldn’t have been surprised. He didn’t like to be blindsided.
By the time Ryan got the answers he was looking for, he hung his head in shame. He couldn’t believe how bad things had gotten for Patsy. He knew beyond any shadow of a doubt he would help her but Nicole had no clue of that. He would help Patsy but he was also going to get what he wanted out of Nicole.
She’d once thought he wasn’t good enough for her and now he was the only one who could save her baby sister. He felt a sense of justice in that knowledge. He knew there wasn’t any point in working the rest of the day, as he couldn’t concentrate. He was eager for his appointment the next day. A smile stole across his features, as he sat back in his chair. He enjoyed a challenge and Nicole would definitely provide him some entertainment.
He made several phone calls, which included getting Patsy moved to a private room. He then found the best cardiothoracic surgeon he could find, called in for a consult. He didn’t do anything in half-measures and he wanted to make sure she received only the best of care.
By the time he hung up the phone, he felt more in control. Patsy was going to be well taken care of and he was going to get his chance for redemption with Nicole. She would pay for what she had done to him and they both would enjoy the punishment.
Ryan headed home, feeling better than he had felt in a long while. That somewhat empty feeling he had been dealing with for quite some time seemed to have completely lifted. He found himself smiling as he jogged up the stairs to change clothing. He was meeting up with Drew later in the evening and decided to enjoy his great mood.
Nicole paced outside the high rise building, working up her courage to enter through the double doors. He wouldn’t have told her to come in unless he was going to help her sister. He may hate her for what he thought she’d done to him but he used to be the kindest person she knew and there was no way he could let Patsy die.
She squared her shoulders and held her head up high as she entered the plush interior of Titan Enterprises. Even the lobby of the building screamed luxury, with its marble floors and huge security desk. There were plants strategically placed to make the area warm and inviting and several people were moving around the lobby, coming in and out of different doors. She didn’t know if the room was supposed to seem intimidating or not but it certainly made her feel out of place. The people he dealt with on a daily basis most likely didn’t notice the luxury surrounding them as they were around it all the time.
The guard behind the desk looked pleasant enough but Nicole could see the steel in his gaze. If she wasn’t on the acceptable list, there was no way she’d make it to the elevators. She had to fight every instinct in her, which told her to turn around and run away. She was made stronger than that and wouldn’t back down. She’d fought harder battles in her life but her sister’s surgery was the only one she’d ever fought for with her whole being.
She tried to walk with as much confidence as she could muster. What if him having her come in had been a cruel joke and the guard was going to send her on her way? If that were the case she would leave kicking and screaming. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her sister, even if it meant humiliating herself.
“Do you have an appointment?” the man asked her.
“Yes, I’m here to see Mr. Titan,” she answered. She’d been trying to sound confident but her throaty voice sounded weak, even to her own ears. She took a few deep breaths, trying to pull herself together.
“Your name, please?” the guard asked.
“Nicole Lander,” she replied. The man looked at his computer for a moment and she had to quell the panic from rising. After what seemed an inordinately long amount of time, though it was only seconds, he nodded his head and handed her a badge.
“Go to the elevators and swipe this badge. Go up to the twentieth floor. When you step off the elevators go to the right and you’ll find the reception desk. Mr. Titan is expecting you so check in with his secretary,” the man said. Nicole nodded at him, to let him know she understood.
Walking over to the elevators, she pushed the button and waited. It felt like she was in a fog as the bell chimed and the doors opened. She stepped inside and had to fight her claustrophobia as the metal machine rose higher and higher. Instead of the music being comforting, she was feeling more closed in. She hated small places but as the numbers lit up, signaling her imminent arrival, she could feel her breathing become shallower. She was seconds away from seeing her first love and she had a feeling the meeting would be quite the chilling one.
She’d wanted him to hate her when she pushed him out of her life. It had been a far better option than the alternative. There was no way she wanted him to know who she really was. She would much rather have him look at her with anger and contempt in his eyes, than pity or disgust from knowing the truth.
The doors opened and she jumped a bit from the bell signaling her arrival. On wooden legs she stepped from the doors and made her way to the beautiful desk, which sat in the middle of a huge reception area.
“Name please,” the woman asked, barely looking up from her computer.
“Nicole Lander,” she answered in a bit stronger voice. The woman picked up her phone and spoke into it for a moment.
“Mr. Titan is currently busy. He asked me to tell you to have a seat. He’ll call you when he’s finished up,” the woman said. She turned back to her computer, confident Nicole would do what she was told.
Nicole walked over to one of the plush seats and picked up a magazine. She glanced at her watch every few minutes. She was anxious to get back. She really wanted to make it to the hospital to visit with her sister before she had to report in to her waitressing job.