Chapter 18
“Do you think I can have her?” He suddenly asked, his eyes fixated on Christian.
Christian looked up slowly with his brows raised and as his eyes met with Rhys wistful look, he scoffed before returning his gaze back to his work.
“She’s taken” He said, serious and Rhys chuckled.
“What? Because she’s your baby mama doesn’t mean I can’t have her, not like you don’t have a wife” He said, jokingly.
“She has a girlfriend, can you focus now?” Christian muttered and Rhys’ face lit up.
“Wait, what? She has a girlfriend and she has to move in with you, with your wife. Did y’all have to use that tactic? Y’all could have just said y’all divorced or something? I mean, If she has a boyfriend then that’s weird for her to live in with you and your wife..”
“Yeah yeah, I know. Can you concentrate please?” Christian groaned and Rhys chuckled. “Sorry”
“Yeah, I also don’t know how I got myself in this mess” Christian muttered, now looking away from Rhys again.
“It must be frustrating right?” Rhys asked, worriedly.
“Yeah, and weird. I just think again, why? Why did this happen? And her everything wouldn’t be this weird or hard if not for her dad. He’s complicating things a lot and it’s really taking a toll on me” He let out his frustrations.
“What about Antonia? How’s she dealing with all this?”
“I know she’s not okay with it but isn’t complaining yet, but I know it’s only a matter of time before she gets tired of things, and to think she would be moving in with us, I really know things are about to get more complicated” He mumbled.
“I think so too” Rhys added.
“What about the kids?” He asked. “Have you seen them?” He continued.
“Yeah, once, at the hospital to confirm their paternity” He answered.
“Once? And that’s all?” Rhys asked, a bit surprised.
“Yeah why?” Christian raised his head after hearing his tone.
“It’s just.. what.. weren’t you at least excited to know you have kids somewhere? I mean, since you and Antonia has been trying really hard for one. At least you know it’s not your fault or anything”
“I never cared about not having kids, Antonia has been the one making a fuss about them. I’m not bothered” He responded.
“So, you don’t care about your baby Mama’s kids that are yours?”
“No” Christian responded simply.
“Oh” Rhys replied, surprised.
****
Laura stepped out onto the balcony of her hotel room, her gaze sweeping over the breathtaking view of the city below. The lights twinkled like stars against the dark canvas of the night sky, casting an enchanting glow over the landscape. It was a sight to behold, one that filled her with a sense of peace and tranquility amidst the chaos of the evening.
As she stood there, lost in the beauty of the moment, her thoughts drifted to the events of the night. The dinner meeting with the CEOs had been a whirlwind of activity, with conversations and negotiations unfolding at every turn. But now, in the quiet solitude of the balcony, she found herself able to breathe again, the weight of the evening lifting from her shoulders.
Lost in her reverie, Laura was startled when she heard a familiar voice behind her. Turning, she saw Rhys leaning against the railing of the balcony, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he surveyed the city below.
“Enjoying the view?” he asked, his tone casual as he took a drag from his cigarette.
Laura nodded, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. “It’s quite spectacular,” she replied, her voice soft.
Rhys chuckled, the smoke swirling around him as he exhaled. “Indeed it is,” he said, his gaze drifting back to the cityscape. “Reminds me of why I love coming to places like this.”
Laura tilted her head, studying him curiously. Despite his laid-back demeanor, there was a sense of mystery about Rhys that intrigued her.
“You seem lost in thought,” she remarked, her tone light.
Rhys shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Just taking it all in,” he said. “You know how it is.”
Laura nodded in understanding, her gaze returning to the city below. For a moment, they stood in companionable silence, the only sound the distant hum of the city’s nightlife before Rhys decided to break the shackles of silence as he started. “You’re Christian’s baby mama right?” He said. It wasn’t more of a question.
Laura chuckled lightly. “Calling me that sounds weird, don’t you think?” She said and Rhys was taken a bit and he smiled. “You know, he said the same thing” He said with a look of amusement.
Laura raised her brows. “You two must have talked about me. And you knew who I really was to him, makes me think you two must be really close” She said.
“We are,” Rhys smiled as he grind the butt of his cigar into a ruin with his hand, against the pavement.
“I see” Laura said.
Rhys turned fully to her now.”We should introduce ourselves, I’m Rhys, Rhys Keystone,” He said, stretching his hands out for an handshake.
“Laura, Laura Gracias” She took his hand, and they exchanged an handshake which lasted for a few seconds before Laura withdrew her hand first.
“So, when are you moving in with him?” He suddenly asked. She raised her brows, “you know about that too?” She asked with a light smile that faded almost immediately.
“Yeah, I do” He responded. “You don’t have to worry, we’re really close enough to know about private stuffs like this. You don’t have to worry, he’s not the type to go around all talking” Rhys assured.
Laura finally turned to him,”I’m not worried” She said with a light smile. “If you’re done talking, I would like to leave” She added.
“Sure, you can” Rhys answered and she nodded.
“Bye then” She said and he nodded and she turned to leave.