"Yes, you are!" She said with her best stern expression even though she felt terrible.
"But..."
"That's final!" She said silencing him with a finger to his lips. "I can take care of myself. It's just a cold. Now please go," she said as he grumbled leaving the bed and  heading for the shower.

"You look handsome as always darling," she said in between coughs and sniffling as he did his jacket button up.
"Thank you. Now stay in bed and let your body fight off this infection."
She nodded her head in reply as he placed a Bluetooth earpiece over her ear.
"This way you will not miss me much," he murmured kissing her forehead as she croaked her reply. "The boys are staying with mother, I don't want you spreading your bug," he said with a smile as he left.

"Love you, darling," she said softly.
"Love you more sweetheart," he said gently closing the door.

Twenty minutes later a maid brought her soup which she managed to keep down. After taking her medication Lincoln called her as soon as he got to his office.
"Feeling any better sweetheart," he asked gently.
"What do you think?" She said sniffling in a raspy voice.
"I'm coming back home," he said as she heard the shuffling of papers before Ken came in informing him of his meeting.
"No Linc, get some work done. All I need is to just hear your voice," she said slowly.
"Fine, just stay on the line and don't fall asleep on me," he said getting up to leave his office.
"But your voice is my lullaby," she said hearing him chuckle.
"Really?" He said indicating the gentlemen to take their seats once he entered the boardroom.

As the meeting progressed, he could hear her steady breathing and a bout of coughing here and there as she cursed her illness.
"Darling pay attention," she said softly making him laugh.
"How did you know?" He said waving his hand to allow the presentation to go on.
"I know my husband," she said with a laugh as the man wrapped up the meeting.

"Submit the annual report to my assistant," he growled standing to leave the room.

"Play nice Lincoln," she scolded resulting in him laughing at her statement.
"Yes mam," he said with a smile. "What are you up to?"
"I'm getting out of bed to take another nice long warm shower," she said. "The steam is helping clear my airway."
He could hear the rush of water in the background as she told him this.
"I could just come and help you relax," he said in a husky tone.
"We both know that's not exactly what will happen," she said with a laugh.
"I will give you fifteen minutes to call me back. That's more than enough time to bathe," he said in a stern voice after she had told him she was hanging up.

Fifteen minutes passed by with her still in the shower enjoying the hot water.
"Mam, are you alright?" Came the voice of a maid outside her door.
"Yes. What's the matter?"
"Sire is on the phone, he wants to speak with you," she replied.
"Tell him to call me back in five minutes," she said stepping out of the shower.

"Can't a girl enjoy her bath time," she snapped.
"You had me worried love. I did say call me back in fifteen minutes," he said softly.
"Well now you owe me a nice bubble bath once I'm off my cycle," she said drying her hair.
"That's no problem at all darling," he laughed. "I take it you are feeling refreshed," he murmured only for her to mumble, no.
"I hate this time of the month. Why must we go through this every month unless when pregnant," she complained making him chuckle.
"It will be over soon. Now I understand your mood swings from last month."
"Keep laughing at me and I will unleash all my anger on your Mr," she mumbled. "You just don't understand how frustrating it is," she grumbled.
"I might not understand what you feel, but know I will always be there for you to give you all the support you need," he said softly.
"I love you Linc," she said.
"And I, you, to infinity and beyond."

"The profit margin should go up in two weeks once we open the product to the market," she heard someone say.

"Are you in a meeting right now?" She asked him.
"Yes love," he said before throwing a question to the marketing director.
"I'm hanging up," she mumbled.
"Don't you dare," he whispered sternly. "Tell me what are you doing right now?"
"Well I'm deciding on what to wear, but the more you keep me on the line, the more time I get cold. You know a bra and underwear aren't exactly warm clothing," she said sweetly.
"Hmmm, I can think of ways to keep you warm."
"Lincoln. What will your colleges think if they hear you?" She chastised.

"Don't worry love I'm heading to the office. Now go open the closet door to your right, I'm sure you will find something suitable," he said softly.
Opening the closet she found one of his shirts, a favourite she often wore. Pulling on a pair of track bottoms she left the closet climbing into bed.
"Open the bottom drawer beside the bed," he ordered.
Opening it she found her favourite chocolates and a packet of chips.
"Has anyone ever told you, you are the perfect husband?"
"Hmmm, I just believe someone did. Now get in bed and get some rest," he said.
"But I'm bored," she sighed turning back to slip under the covers knowing he would be furious if he found out she wasn't in bed.

"Am I boring you love," he said in a husky tone.
"No, I just don't like being..."
"Sorry love hold on for a second," he said interrupting her as he turned towards Ken. "Have this document filed," he said entering his office. "Now you were saying, you don't like being, what? Idle.....pampered...treated like a baby or the queen that you are," he said with a chuckle.
"Lincoln," she cried out as she turned on the TV going through the channels. "You recorded Scandal," she squealed before coughing horribly.
"Well, I had to or else there would be no peace in that house."
"What would I ever do without you?" She said through sniffles.
"Live a miserable life," he joked.
"Oh please. Who said you are the only exciting bit of my life?"
"Are you sure about that?"
"Positive," she said with a laugh.

He remained silent as she laughed.
"Linc you still there?" She asked in a voice that told him her nose was blocked making a note to get her some nasal spray.
He remained silent.
"Linc I can hear you breathing so I know you are still there."
Silence...
"Baby come on," she said in a pleading voice.
Silence still.
"Darling," she cried out close to tears as he remained silent.

"Baby, come on, you know I was just joking," she mumbled only to hear him laugh.
"Gotcha," he said laughing. "You should have heard yourself," he laughed. "Oh darling please, baby," he said mimicking her in a not-so-girly tone.
"Oh shut it, I don't sound like that," she giggled.
"Are you sure darling? We could always get a second opinion," he said hearing a knock on his door.
"I'm one hundred per cent sure you are just exaggerating."

Excusing himself he called out, "Enter!"
"Sir Mr Watson is here to see you. He said he will not leave until he speaks with you," Ken said.
"Show him in."

"This should be interesting," he said once Ken left.
"It's most likely about the stunt we pulled with the shareholders," Mel murmured her eyes drooping.
"Let's hear what he has to say," he said leaning back in his chair.
"I wish I was there to see the look on his face."
"Hmmm, are you decent?"
"Obviously. Why?" She said as a knock sounded on the door.

Walter came in with an iPad. Turning it on she saw Lincoln in his office smiling up at her as he looked at the TV screen mounted up on the wall to his right.
"You look terrible," he said with a frown.
"I'll take that as a compliment," she said making him laugh.
"Don't worry, once I'm done with Chris I am coming back home."
"But..." She said stifling a yawn as she lay down facing the screen.
"Ah ah, no buts. That is my final decision," he said looking towards the door as Chris barged into his office.

"What is the meaning of this?" Chris stated angrily throwing a file onto his desk.
"First of all, never raise your voice at me. Secondly as a civilized human being, one asks politely, never in an uncouth manner such as the one you are displaying. Now have a seat and ask away," he said pointing to the chair in front of him.

"The things your voice does to me when you are calm and collected, I could just..." Mel said in a sleepy voice as he cut her off by clearing his throat and shifting in his seat. It's a good thing Chris had his back to the screen only he could see her.

"Why wasn't I informed of the shares you purchased? I had to find out from my secretary that you are now the majority shareholder.
"Ah, that's the only problem. Well, you see I don't like sharing what I love, and Global Tech is my new love."
"Would it have anything to do with my ex?" Chris asked. "Oh sorry forgive me, I should rephrase my statement. Does it have anything to do with your ex-wife?"

"It has nothing to do with Mel," he said looking up to see she had fallen asleep.
The medication must be pretty strong if she could not stay awake for this confrontation.
"How is the divorce coming along by the way?" Chris said with a sly smirk.
"That's none of your business."
"You should have listened to me. I told you not to trust her now she has your money. You see that's why I cut her loose when I had the chance."
"Have you ever heard of the saying, 'Business is a combination of war and sport'?"
"What does that have to do with what we are talking about?" Chris asked confused.
"Mel and I might be separated for the time being but I still have her, right where I want her. Right under my roof," he said with a smile turning to the screen behind them as he looked at Mel fast asleep having forgotten to switch off the tablet.

"How?"
"How? You ask," Linc chuckled switching off the monitor. "Let's just say I have my ways. Now run along and get to work. We wouldn't want our investors to pull out, would we?"
Angrily Chris stood up frustrated by the situation even more.

"Ken forward all my calls home," Linc said walking into the elevator.
"Sir there has been an accident. Your presence is required in Dubai immediately. The plane is already fuelled and ready for you," Ken said handing him the file.
Pulling out his phone he left Mel a message informing her of what was happening.

Mel woke up to the ringing of the doorbell. Taking her phone she saw a voicemail from Linc and listened to it as she made her way to the main door only to find herself looking at the last person she expected to see in her house. How they were allowed entrance was beyond her.