*Nora*
Alejandro has not been home for two days. His door was locked, and he wasn’t taking my call or returning my text.
I knew he had other buildings in the city, but I never thought it was necessary to find them, never thought I needed them until now.
So I decided to follow him. I went to work with him and stayed at a distance, waiting for his car to drive out of the building.
When it finally did, I followed him. He drove mindlessly around the city for a while, and I wondered what was wrong with him.
After the day he came home drunk, I knew something was up, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask him. What if he doesn’t want to talk about it?
I didn’t want to force it; that’s the last thing I wanted to do. So, the next day, I followed him secretly around the city, but I found no clue.
After another two days and he didn’t come back home, I decided it was time to visit the penthouse. What if he was hiding something there?
I was granted entry into the penthouse immediately after I identified myself as his wife.
I was then led to his penthouse.
It looked neat and clean, like no one had been there. Well, maybe one of the housekeepers did the job that they were paid for. I concluded as I called one of them.
“Did my Husband spend the night here?” I asked, and she nodded.
“Did you clean the room already?” I asked, taking a brief look at the already closed doors.
“Yes, ma. But the boss has not been staying in his room, so we didn’t have much work to do there.” She replied.
This rang a bell in my head.
Did he perhaps sleep on the couch in the sitting room? That sounded absurd. I wouldn’t want that, and I knew he wouldn’t, either.
She bowed about to leave when I stopped her, “where did he sleep?” I asked, and she pointed to a hallway. “His study,”
“I see.” I walked to the study and pushed it open.
Files and documents of various kinds were scattered on his table. The study was neat and clean, and the window looked good. But I could tell that he had been here, sleeping. It was easy to tell. Maybe the unkempt table made the study look unkempt.
I walked to the table and checked a few documents; my eyes scanned through them quickly; they were all business-related-things I didn’t understand.
I sat in the chair, intending to go through his drawers; maybe I’d find something relating to why his mood had been off, but I didn’t.
The drawer was secure, and only Alejandro could access it.
After sitting on the chair and looking around for what seemed like an eternity, I felt pressed. I decided to use the toilet.
I stepped inside the restroom in the study, did my business, and washed my hands. I was about to go out when I heard the door lock.
I smiled; he must be here already.
I had to speak to him. I don’t like how he has been acting, and I hoped I could talk him into behaving properly, especially with Lucas coming in two days.
Just when I was about to open the restroom door, I heard, “It’s secluded enough, right?” my hands paused.
I knew that was his voice. I opened the door a little, making sure it made no creaking noise. I looked through it, and I could see his face. I couldn’t see the face of the other person, but from what I saw, it was enough to tell that she was a woman.
I felt my heart chartered into a million pieces; Alejandro was cheating on me.
I wanted his money, but I also wanted him.
I was jealous of this lady; this stranger could have him in a way that I can’t.
I expected to hear moaning and the sound of kissing, but it didn’t come, “Is Austin my son?” He asked, and my eyes widened.
But I tried to stay calm. I had to.
I was yet to wrap my head around what I had just heard, why would Alejandro have a son?
“Yes. Austin is your son. He is your blood.” that voice. The jars in my head were spinning.
I have heard it before. It took a while for what she said to register. Alejandro has a son, Alejandro has another son, a small voice continuously said in my head.
If this is true, all I have worked on all my life can go down the drain. I shook my head, not wanting to believe that Lucas, my son, may not be the one to inherit all of Alejandro’s business.
This can not be happening, not after everything I did.
As the conversation between both of them continued, I was quick to realize who the woman was.
I crashed on the floor.
Anna.
Or should I say, Andrea?
Well, it doesn’t matter what I call her. What matters is that she is back in my life.
I believe I had taken care of her completely then; I had removed her and created this life for myself.
I should have been more careful, I should have been more observant. If I had known she was pregnant, then I would have gotten rid of her and her stupid bastard child.
I couldn’t listen to them anymore, so I closed the door and walked back into the restroom. Staring at myself in the mirror, I fiddled with my hands, then placed my thumb on my mouth and bit on my finger.
I can’t let Andrea and her bastard child ruin my plans.
I stopped pacing around and stared at myself in the mirror. Maybe I shouldn’t be worried. This shouldn’t be a big deal.
I believe there is a reason everything happened. Them speaking while I was listening was a sign that I needed to be here.
So what if I couldn’t get rid of her completely then? I could still do it now.
I was grateful I had taken my purse with me.
Taking my phone out of my pocket, I dialed a number, realizing I was at risk of being caught. I ended the call before it could connect and texted instead, `I have a job for you.`
*Lucas’s POV*
I stared at the papers handed to me by my P. A a while ago. My eyes moved from one to the other, scanning the content as quickly as I could.
“The other file will be sent in a while. The legal department has something to work on. That was why I didn’t bring it,” she said, and I gave a slight nod.
Since my Dad left, everything has been on my shoulders. And I must say that it is very difficult to handle so much. I wanted to run away, but I knew that was not possible.
I couldn’t do that. He has entrusted everything to me. But I was glad he trusted me enough to leave me in charge. I was glad our relationship has improved over the years. I didn’t say it, but I felt it, and I knew he knew that I was glad.
“Well, that’s a wrap. Have the other document emailed to me. I’ll go through it when I settle and send it back. It should be something you can handle, right?” I asked her, and she nodded.
She brushed a few strands of hair off her face.
“Are you sure you won’t be needing me?” Her voice was soft and coly.
I was going to LA. Next week, I received a call from my Mom. She misses me and wants me around. I want to be with her, too. I missed her and my Dad so much, so this seems like an opportunity to just go see them.
I had worked extra just to clear my schedule and made time to go see them.
“I think me coming with you will make the work easier.” Her voice was even lower this time.
Without lifting my head I said, “So you get to question my decision now?” I asked sternly.
She must have done the usual, bowed in apology, and left.
Marian started working for me two weeks ago. At first, she was professional. I thought she was the best lady I’ve ever met until she started making suggestive moves towards me.
At first, I tried to ignore it; I didn’t want to outrightly make her seem like a slut or fire her cause aside from her sluty behavior, she was quite good at her job.
I heard the door open and close before raising my head.
I could get any girl I wanted; that was a fact, but I plan to retain this disciplined life that I had begun. As the heir to everything my father owns, I had to ensure I was worth it.
Gone are those days when I would play with my position, not anymore.
Later that evening, I had dinner with Williams at a renowned restaurant.
“Did you try calling your Dad, maybe to inform him that you are coming?” Williams asked, placing a slice of fish in his mouth.
I nodded. “He had not been taking my calls; I don’t know what’s wrong,” I said.
His brows drew together at my word, but he soon returned to normal.
“I don’t know.” He shook his head as if looking for an excuse for my dad, “he is probably busy,” He said.
I gave him the same excuse, too, but I knew within me that it was more than that.
I felt he was going through some stuff.
“I’ll miss you, though,” he said, placing one hand on my shoulder as we walked to his car. He had driven me here.
I smiled. Ever since I was little, Williams has been a father figure. I could confide in him. Truth be told, I felt more connected to him than my biological Dad. He always seems to get me in a way no one has.
“You can always come visit, Williams,” I said as I stepped into the car.
The drive was characterized by the usual talks about music, the economy, and how to do better in whatever proposal I had for the company.
He stopped In Front of the house and watched me walk in before he drove off.
My flight was at 9 a. m., but I was at the airport as early as 8.
When I arrived, my Mom was at the airport, ready to pick me up. She had the brightest smile in the world. As I hugged her and caught a whiff of her soft fragrance, I realized I had never been more grateful for having her as my Mom.
“Where’s Dad?” I asked as the car zoomed into the busy street. I didn’t expect him to come pick me up from the airport, but I was at least expecting his driver.
I called him, and as usual, his phone didn’t connect.
“He had a business meeting and didn’t know you were coming. You’ll see him later.” She said, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.
“Alright… I want to surprise him in his office,”
“Noooo!!!” I flinched at the loudness of her voice.
“Why?”
“No, you can’t see him now. I mean,” she clutched the steering wheels, “he is busy. I don’t think he’ll appreciate a surprise.” She tried to smile, but the smile was brief.
“It’s fine,” I said.
She took a quick turn.
“Lucas,” she called in a serious voice. Without waiting for me to respond, she went ahead to say, “I have something important to discuss with you.” Cold air passed through me. The hair on my hand stood.
I silently prayed it wasn’t what I was thinking. Lord, please, my parents aren’t getting divorced again.