Page 112 of His to Have
It’s who he was, who he is, and who he’ll always be.
The same man who arranged my marriage and the same one coming out of a coma still trying to run an empire, and now demanding Bash’s obedience and officially handing him the empire.
When the silence lingered a bit too long, I asked, “Mama, when’s the last time you had a real meal? Or slept in your own bed?”
I looked around at the newly acquired couch in the corner of the room, a soft pink blanket neatly folded and a pillow resting on top. It was clear that she had made it her makeshift bed even though her bedroom was in the same house and only a few steps away.
“Mama,” I sighed.
“I know,” she waved me off. “You don’t have to say anything. Sebastian’s already been over here fussing and getting on my nerves.” Her eyes rolled playfully. “I only want to be here if he wakes up and needs something.”
“You need rest... and food.” I gently chided, looking over at Teo. “Baby—”
“I’ll have dinner delivered in less than an hour.” I didn’t even have to tell him what I needed. He just pulled out his phone and began placing an order with someone.
I turned back to my mother, taking in the lines of exhaustion etched into her face. “Mama, you’re running yourself ragged. You need to take care of yourself too. Go get some rest... Please? I’ll stay here with him until he wakes up.”
She looked like she wanted to protest but I was glad when she acquiesced, and rose from her seat. “You’ll come and get me if he wakes?”
I wasn’t going to fight her on it. If this was the only way she’d actually get some sleep, then so be it. “I will.”
She dipped her chin acknowledging me, kissed Daddy’s forehead before heading toward her bedroom down the hall.The quiet that followed felt peaceful rather than heavy. I found myself gravitating toward the couch, where I sank into the cushions, and Teo followed, pulling me close until I was practically lying on his chest.
Neither of us said much as we settled into the comfortable silence. Teo’s fingers found the space between my belly button and gently traced soothing circles against my skin. I was learning how much those gentle touches never failed to soothe me. While he handled calls quietly, I found a cute romance book on my Kindle, content in our own little worlds.
While I got lost in the fictional characters who were head over heels for each other, I faintly heard Teo handling business back home. His voice was low as he handled business, careful not to disturb the peace we’d found. I caught fragments. Something about meetings being rescheduled, consolidating the southern routes, and Bash being properly brought into the fold with the shifting of power. Apparently my father was the bridge between the South and the North and now Bash would need to meet the suppliers.
Okay, so maybe I caught more than I intended, but it was hard not to listen when Teo was so close. And his voice was so reassuring and steady. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the gravity of his conversation. After going through what I’d gone through I somehow felt less threatened by the life we were building.
Focusing back on my book, I allowed myself to get lost in the pages, immersing myself in lives of the doctor and the nurse who couldn’t figure out why they hated and loved each other at the same time. I must have been more absorbed in the story than I realized, because I didn’t notice when the soft murmur of Teo’s voice stopped, or when his breathing shifted beneath me.
It wasn’t until a different voice, weak but unmistakably proud, broke through our quiet sanctuary.
“Now that’s what I like to see. I knew y’all was meant to be together.”
Both Teo and I looked up to find Daddy’s eyes open, watching us with something that looked like satisfaction despite his frail condition.
“Daddy,” I leaped from Teo’s chest, moving quickly to his bedside. “How are you feeling?”
His eyes followed my movements, and though there was a slight delay before he responded, his smile was genuine. “Better... now that I’ve actually laid eyes on you.” His words came slower than usual.
Where he used to be so quick-witted, now he paused between words, taking deep breaths reminding me he wasn’t as invincible as we’d all allowed ourselves to believe. He was only a man, and this man was heavily affected by the poison. It was clear that life as we knew it was irrevocably changed. The strong, formidable figure I had always known was now weakened, but his spirit remained unbroken. Even as he attempted to rule his empire from a hospital bed.
“And you two?” His eyes moved between Teo and me. “Bash filled me in on the details. How are you both handling things?”
I felt my body tense.
That simple question was loaded with so much more than concern for my wellbeing. He meant well. But that didn’t erase the fact that what he really wanted was for me to rehash things my husband had already taken care of. The entire kidnapping. How it happened. Who did it? And if it had been properly handled. Of course he wanted to know if I was okay but that would have been a question he would’ve concerned himself with later. His list of priorities was always the same: business first, family second. It was a harsh truth, but one I had grown accustomed to over the years. I took a deep breath, preparing to assure him that his only daughter was fine but Teo interjected.
“Yanna doesn’t need to revisit that. It’s handled... everything is good.” His eyes were hard, even though he respected my father. There was a firmness that left no room for argument.
Samuel’s face softened into an expression I don’t think I’ve seen on him in all my years of living. It was a rare mix of genuine concern and introspection, a crack in the steel armor of a man driven by duty. His eyes held a warmth that caught me completely off guard.
Grabbing my hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze, his voice softer than usual. “No, baby girl. I just... I just wanted to know if you were okay.” He looked over at Teo with something that looked like gratitude. “Both of you. Our family almost lost a lot.”
I felt a lump in my throat, surprised by his vulnerability. “We’re okay, Daddy.” My voice cracked.
His gaze slid over to Teo with an earnest look. There was gratitude and maybe something more. “Thank you for... bringing her home. For being... for being what she needed when I couldn’t be.”
