Chapter 2: Grumpy Billionaire
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CHAPTER 2
The blinding lights of the hospital ward shimmered into her half-opened eyes. A low grunt escaped her parted lips as added proof of her disapproval.
'It stings,' she mentally complained, hoping someone would be kind enough to have it shut.
Sadly, it was all in her head and help was underway.
Dang!
Sharp pain assaulted her brain, causing her to wince before she could actually understand or access where she was.
"Daddy, she's starting to wake." The chirpy lovely sound of a child's voice rang out.
Hmm? A child. What was she doing with one?
The last Astra recalled was her sad tale of how her life had turned from going okay to suddenly greeting the doorstep of the grim reaper.
Hell no!
But if that was the case, who then was this...
"Daddy, I think she is in pain," the young angel voiced again.
Her worry was easily picked up as she touched Astra's shoulder and called out. "Miss? Miss."
At first, all Astra wished to do was go back to sleep since no one was putting off the light.
Now that she heard the voice, she willed herself up from it slightly and opened her eyes properly to see everyone present.
The white ceiling willingly greeted her eyes, followed by the usual hospital necessities, drips, bandages, a small drawer by the bedside, the cute little angel staring at her and...
Her eyes and brain seemed to have stopped working when her gaze settled on the one being that seemed to taint this somewhat bland but slightly cheerful atmosphere.
It was no wonder she felt a chill run down her spine earlier but she had ignored it, not paying any form of attention.
Now she knew who or where it was from.
Standing tall, 6 feet 4 inches, muscularly built, all clad in a maroon-coloured tux with the collar button left loose accompanied by the designers tie that seemed to have left its proper position thanks to something.
Why?
A nice question as she too was trying to figure it out when her gaze swept past his Adam's apple to the perfect jawline, those thin pale looking lips, long lashes, pointed small nose and...
"Had enough oogling to revive your drunken brain?"
Like a sledgehammer to a tabletop, the brakes were slammed on her little assessment of the rude-ass rich dude standing before her bed.
Her brows were drawn together in a tight frown but the man standing before her did not seem to care.
"What? You got a problem? I'm sure my lawyer would actually love to hear about how your senseless self specifically walked into the road when..."
"Daddy stop!"
Astra blinked in confusion at the strength in the high-pitched tone of the little child—the very one she had almost forgotten about.
"You are not being nice!" she reprimanded him and scowled at him.
He frowned, clearly, he was not happy to be told off by a child. His child for that matter and in front of a stranger.
"Hmph, I am being logical."
"No, it is called being mean. You are bad, Daddy."
It was cute seeing a young child have more sense than the grown-up man before her.
Howbeit, she needed to fight her battle and not look weak, or else he would keep on taunting her with his unfiltered words.
"I..." he tried to defend himself but that too was interrupted when she stood up for Astra again.
"She's hurt."
"Thanks to her. Besides, before you worry about others little lady, worry about yourself first. You almost got hurt. What would I have done had you been?"
For the next few seconds, Astra forgot her zeal of fighting back and watched the serious banter between a father and his five-year-old daughter.
She was determined to laugh given the situation but concealed it and cleared her throat instead.
"Sorry to break your..." Astra gestured at the two of them with her fingers. "Judging from your conversation, I am in the wrong. I apologize sincerely for not paying attention to my surroundings."
"No that is a different matter. This wasn't even about paying attention but the fact that you wished to commit suicide. I won't blame or stop you if you wish to do so."
Astra blinked back in shock. "What?"
Wasn't this supposed to be the part where he played the knight in shining amour?
How dare he encourage her!
"Yes. Everyone has free will but next time you choose to kill yourself, do not do it on a busy road and do not take anyone down with you."
He shot her a serious glare, placing both hands in his pocket as the aura about him changed, adding a certain pressure in the room.
"I am not suicidal!" Astra blurted out and clenched her fist by her side.
This little reaction of hers had left a puckered brow on his handsome face.
"First sign of a mentally deranged case. Denial."
She twisted her lips; her chest rose and fell as she returned his glare.
He was doing this on purpose, tormenting her as though he wanted to get a bad reaction from her and when she did give him, his sly grinning face stared right at her.
"Good."
"Enh?" Her nose and forehead scrunched up trying to understand him.
"Now there would not be a court case to clear you off that. You might as well begin your apology by paying for damages."
"What!"
"You heard me. Your reckless actions almost got us killed and my car is stained a bit followed by the scratch that..."
"Daddy!"
He frowned once more. More than ever Astra was glad her saviour intervened.
It was shameless to rely on a child but at the moment, she would do so if it meant her handling this human before her.
He had a soft spot for the small blonde-haired.
"Fine. I will let you off the hook this time."
"This time?"
His anger shone through his eyes, silencing Astra immediately. "Do not think too highly of yourself. I hope I do not get to see your face again. Come on pumpkin, we are running late."
"But dad..." He sent a warning glare at his daughter. She too clamped her lips shot and shuddered when his cold gaze descended on her.
"I thought as much. You are going home."
With that, the little girl climbed down the bed with her head lowered and walked out of the room.
Following behind her, the annoying father followed without sparing her a glance as he shut the door behind her.
"Tch, poor child. I would not want to have such a grumpy man for a father. She is better off without him," Astra muttered and released a deep sigh.
She was thankful it was over.
Right outside the door, the young man's ears twitched and halted in his step before glaring at the door.
'Stupid selfish woman. Alora was your saving grace,' he voice internally and walked over to the elevator with his daughter.
Several stares were settled on him as they left the hospital and descended down the stairs leading outside.
Parked right outside were two black Range Rover Velars standing side by side with the BMW car that had crashed into Astra.
His narrowed eyes trailed the dented BMW and then returned to the men standing outside each vehicle.
"Master Azriel, the investors called. His flight had been delayed. He can meet up with you before travelling."
"Sure. Take Alora home. I am sure Azael would be waiting for her," he responded calmly.
"Is the Young Mistress alright sir?"
"She will be. You lot can return." He placed his foot forward, wanting to head to the car when a thought came in. "Loan, have the BMW checked and keep an eye out for the lady."
"Sir?" Loan blinked in disbelief. This was the first time his boss showed any form of care or interest for anyone of the opposite sex in three years.
"Are you now daft, Loan? Keep an eye on that troublemaker. I do not want her bad mouth ruining my name."
"Oh," Loan half exclaimed and forced a smile then nodded. "Definitely Master Azriel. I will."
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