Page 130 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire
“Unfortunately,” Byron agreed.
Our feet had barely touched the grass before people rushed at us. Someone handed me a glass of champagne, which I accepted and eagerly downed. I’d need something stronger to endure this crowd. A waiter passed me, and I placed my empty glass on the tray before reaching for another.
Men and women chatted at the same time, but I couldn’t understand a single word. Not because they were speaking a foreign language, but because they spoke at the same time. I snickered. Even my son knew it was poor manners to talk over others.
My lips curved into a soft smile thinking about Ares. The way he grinned, telling me he was a big boy. I hadn’t wanted to leave him with Byron’s old nanny, Mrs. Bakers. The elderly lady seemed kind and competent, but I’d never left him with a stranger before.
I itched to make my way back to Byron’s car and retrieve my phone so I could call to check on him.
As if he read my mind, Byron extended his phone to me, and I raised my head, meeting his gaze. “He’s good. Look at this.”
I leaned over the screen and smiled. He and Mrs. Bakers were playing chess, and Ares was kicking her butt. Both of them had big grins on their faces.
“At least he’s having fun,” I murmured softly.
“More than we can say.”Huh.So he wasn’t having a good time either. This was business, though, so I’d endure it. For him.
“How come you still have your nanny around?” I asked him curiously. When he suggested she watch Ares, I was floored that he was even in touch with her anymore.
He shrugged. “She did a lot for my siblings and me. I wanted to return the favor. She took care of us, and now we’re taking care of her.”
Well, shit. If that didn’t make me love Byron just another notch more. At this rate, I’d have hearts in my eyes, swooning until my dying day.Or until he breaks your heart again, a nervous voice whispered.
“That’s nice of you and your siblings.” More than nice.
Suddenly, the sea of people around us parted as an older gentleman made his way to us. He looked familiar, but it wasn’t until he stopped in front of us that I realized why.
It was the freaking President of the United States. Needless to say, the poor guy looked much older up close.
“Well, well, that was unexpected.” The president shook Byron’s hand. “Are you lining yourself up for the next elections? Might as well cut your father out of the way.”
Byron gave him a tight smile but didn’t comment. I could see him as the next president, though I selfishly didn’t want him to have that aspiration.
“Mr. President, this is my wife, Odette,” Byron introduced me.
I nodded, extending my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
The president shook it so firmly, it rattled my bones. “Dr. Swan, I’ve heard a lot about you.” I stilled, confused at his statement. Had Senator Ashford already badmouthed me? “Or should I call you Dr. Ashford?”
“Dr. Swan is fine,” I murmured. “What have you heard about me?”
“It’s standard protocol to check every plus-one coming to the White House. But I’ve got to say, no other plus-one is quite as impressive as you. Served alongside the World Health Organization as a surgeon in Ghana. You’ve done a few things for the United Nations too. Graduated medical school at the top of your class. You could have ended up at any top hospital, and yet, you went to Ghana. Why?”
I shrugged my bare shoulders, trying to set a mask of confidence I was not feeling in place. “My father did something similar in his youth, and I always wanted to follow in his footsteps. He said it was one of the best things he could have ever done for himself.”
“So why didn’t he stay with it?” he questioned curiously.
I smiled. “He fell in love with my mother, a model. She said Africa wasn’t her runway.”
All of us chuckled while fond memories danced in my mind. I missed him so much. I missed my mother too, but it was always my dad for me. Billie was more of a mama’s girl.
The president moved on to talk to someone else. I still could not believe he’d given me his time and attention. It might have been the most complimented I’d ever felt. For the next little while, people came and went while Byron played his role flawlessly. I smiled and nodded, half of the time not even hearing what people were saying to me. But I carried on like I was having the time of my life, for Byron’s sake and the kindness he’d shown me since I told him about Ares.
After an hour of listening to politics and holding a smile, my cheeks hurt like a bitch. And so did my head. Seeing a window for a break, I took it. Fuck, I grabbed it with both hands.
“Excuse me, I have to use the ladies’ room.”
Byron brushed a kiss at my hairline. “Don’t get lost.”
