BABY FOR MR. BILLIONAIRE

"He just had the flu and fever. Don't worry, ma'am. Your son will be fine after resting and taking some of the medicine I prescribed."

"Belle, you should see.... Oh, I'm sorry. Please go on."

Belle glared at Miranda, who had just shouted and entered her room without knocking. God, Belle wanted to strangle her friend for her rudeness, walking into her room without knocking.

"I'm sorry for the disturbance earlier. My friend just wants to discuss something with me."

"No problem, doc. So, my little Charlie will be fine, right?"

"He will be fine. Don't worry. You just need to feed him nutritious food and make sure Charlie takes his medicine three times a day."

"Alright, I'll do it. Thank you very much, Doctor Belle."

"You're welcome. Get well soon Charlie."

Belle stroked Charlie's head gently and led them to the door. The five-year-old boy looked very weak and only hugged his mother's waist as he walked out to the elevator.

Belle turned over the wooden plank on the door as her practice time was over. It was time to go home to rest and watch some new movies. She wanted to really relax that day because she hadn't had a proper sleep in days. She had to be on standby at the hospital when her little patient was critical. Belle always hoped that her patients would be fine and that they could be reunited with their families at home.

"Belle!"

"Oh my God, Miranda! What are you doing?"

Belle screamed in annoyance because Miranda surprised her who was drinking. The water spilled onto her lab coat.

"Oops, I'm sorry. Is that mineral water?"

"Fortunately it's only mineral water."

Belle slammed the bottle on the table and took out some tissues to wipe her wet lab coat.

"Why did you come to my room? Do you have any important news?"

"The actress has come. You must see her."

"Oh my, I thought you were going to tell me something important."

"This is very important news."

Miranda enthusiastically followed Belle who was throwing the used tissue into the trash. She snorted in annoyance because Miranda was following her like an idiot.

"I don't care about the actress or whatever she's doing in this hospital."

"She will be celebrating her birthday with your little patients. You should have come to the hall to see them having fun."

"Just let them have their fun. They are safe with their parents."

"Tsk, you have to come to the hall with me."

"I'm tired. I want to go home and laze on my comfortable bed."

Belle tugged Miranda's hand from her wrist. She really didn't want to waste her precious time off by going to see an actress celebrating a birthday with her little patients. Her evil mind told her that the party was held only to boost the actress's popularity. Not something done sincerely and humbly.

"That's why you don't have a boyfriend. You've been cooping yourself up in your apartment too much, and you're not giving yourself a chance to be recognized by other people."

With annoyance, Belle put her hands on her hips. Her face showed a thick expression of offense because of Miranda's words.

"Well, I don't have a boyfriend because none of them really suit me so far. Don't make stupid hypotheses just because I don't want to attend the actress's birthday party."

"But they are very romantic. They kissed in the lobby."

"Then what do I care? It's their right to kiss and make out. They're married, right?"

"Belle, this time you have to come. Let yourself have fun. Nathalie is waiting for us in the hall. I think Lucas is coming too."

"No. I want to go home. Now!"

Belle ignored Miranda who kept whining around her. She busied herself by stuffing her things into her bag, then hanging her lab coat on the wooden cupboard next to the sink.

"She's not just any actress."

"Well, you've said it a hundred times before. But I really don't care. I just want to go home."

"It's Gabrielle Rolland's wife's birthday."

"Gabrielle Rolland?" Belle's frowned deeply. She seemed quite familiar with the name, but she couldn't remember where she had heard it before.

"You really don't remember Gabrielle Rolland?" Miranda's eyes widened in surprise at Belle's reaction.

"No. Who is Gabrielle Rolland? I don't know him."

"Geez. Gabrielle Rolland is the guy you bumped into at the club that night!"

-00-

Talia smiled broadly. Grasping her mother's hand tightly, she lined up with the other children for a crown-shaped balloon. Talia's glazed eyes twinkled with happiness. It was the first time she's attended a birthday party that was so lively. Lots of balloons, gifts, and piñatas on the ceiling of the hall. She also saw people aiming cameras at her friends and at her until she felt like she was being showered with very bright white lights.

"Hello sweetie, here's a crown balloon for you."

"Thank You."

"You're welcome. Enjoy the party."

Talia touched her head and smiled happily. The first time her head was wearing a crown instead of a bandage. Her mother then led her to a round table at the front of the hall, where the main character was busy receiving birthday wishes from everyone.

"You should wish Mrs. Rolland happy birthday."

"I know. It's a great birthday party. Oh, that's Doctor Belle!"

Talia exclaimed happily. She jumped up and down while waving her hands towards her favorite doctor. The IV tube stuck in her back swayed slowly as the girl was busy moving her hands to get Belle's attention.

"Doctor Belle, I've been looking for you."

"Hello honey. I'm late because I had a patient." Belle crouched in front of Talia and smiled gently. She was desperately hiding her anger at Miranda for dragging her to the party.

"Hello Talia, you are very beautiful with that crown."

"Thank you, Doctor Miranda. I also like this crown. We're going to wish Mrs. Rolland happy birthday."

Belle's eyes turned to the crowd of people who were surrounding the main star. Fleura Rolland's figure was barely visible in the crowd. Belle couldn't catch her face, and she didn't care.

"Want to come with us to meet Mrs. Rolland?"

"No, thank you. You guys go ahead. I will greet my other patients."

Miranda glanced at her sharply, but Belle ignored her and pretended to wave at Talia.

"We should have gone with them to meet Fleura."

"I told you I didn't want to come here, but you dragged me."

"You need to be reminded of that guy you ran into at the club."

"Yeah, I hate that guy. Just go there if you want to meet that actress. I'll go meet Timmy and his friends."

Belle sighed in relief seeing Miranda walking away from her. She was relieved that Miranda didn't force her. She was better left alone to enjoy the atmosphere of the birthday party. At least, she was happy that Fleura brought joy to her little patients. They happily enjoyed the clown and magic show in the middle of the room. Their laughter looked so pure. Their pale faces shone with joy.

"Hello, Timmy."

"Doctor Belle! I got a robot."

The little boy lifted his toy into the air. He was so skinny that his cheeks were very gaunt. He suffered from stage three bone cancer which resulted in his leg being amputated several months ago. But Belle was very touched by the joy and enthusiasm he showed everyone.

"Wow, what a cool robot. Did you have fun?"

"Yes. This party was really fun."

"And there's lots of delicious free food available."

Belle smiled in response to Mr. Brune, Timmy's father.

"Take as much food as you want, Mr. Brune. The host will not mind at all."

"Of course. I will not waste this rare opportunity," Mr. Brune blinked playfully, then pushed Timmy's wheelchair toward a long table filled with mouth-watering delicacies.

Belle was just about to stand up when a pair of shoes suddenly stopped in front of her.