Chapter 38
Damian’s POV
I tried so hard to give Valerie a convincing gaze, to make her believe me but she just walked away. I cursed under my breath and followed her behind.
“Leave me alone, Damian. I just want to be left alone. This is a whole lot to take in.” She said, standing at a distance which made me halt.
“But I just gave you a suggestion now. Don’t tell me that you believe the son is mine when we have no proof.”
“Proof? Do you really think that Claire would leave everything she is doing and come here to tell lies? Or perhaps you thinks she is pulling pranks? Think like a man that you are, Damian!” She was filled with so much, yet tears welled up her eyes. I was tempted to grab her waist and give her a very big hug but the warning gaze she gave me, spoke volumes already.
“Whether you believe it or not, she could be lying. A proof is all that we need to settle this. Can’t you see what I’m trying to do?” I asked, sounding as calm as I could.
“And what if it doesn’t work? What if the test results come out and you are the father? What are going to do by then?” She asked throwing her hands up in the air.
“That will not happen. I am sure of it. Just trust me, Valerie.” I responded.
“Just bear it in mind that if this whole thing turns out to be true, I will not do this useless marriage with you. You can go ahead and have your prom queen.” She said and walked away, going back into the house.
I folded my hand across my chest, pacing up and down the whole place. The only thing I could think of was how to escape this problem. I rubbed my temples and took lots of deep breaths.
I picked my phone from my pocket and decided to call an old friend, Dominic. He was the family doctor, tested and trusted with our health conditions. He would be the perfect person for the job.
“Hello, Dr. Dominic. How are you?” I asked with a firm, friendly tone, hoping that he would not notice the tension.
“Everything is fine. When I saw your call at first, I thought there was an emergency but it appears that everyone is alright. Is this a casual call?” He queried.
“Not really. It is almost an emergency. We have an issue at the moment and I need you to come and run a test on someone at my family house.” I explained, not wanting to divulge much information.
“Okay, who is this someone and what kind of test?”
“It’s a little boy and the test is to check his paternity. I’ll explain further when you arrive. Can you come over this afternoon?” I asked.
“Yes, let me do my rounds at the hospital and I will be there at once.” He finalized.
I ended the call and walked into the house to inform them of my plan.
When I got inside, my Dad was explaining something to Valerie but I could not hear him, I could only see him making gestures. My mum was sitting on the sofa, supporting her jaw with her hands and Claire was humming quietly to her son.
Everyone seemed to stop what they were doing when I stepped inside. They all turned to stare at me as I walked to the center of the room.
“I’m expecting someone. He is in the perfect position to settle this problem. I have called Doctor Dominic and he said he would be here in no distant time. Let us wait for him in patience.”
“What exactly do you want him to do here? No one is sick.” Claire protested.
“I need him to come and run some tests on your son. The results will prove if you are saying the truth or not.” I explained, not casting a glance at her.
“A proof is not even necessary. He looks so much like you. Are you calling me a liar? Do you really think that I will abandon every other engagement that has kept me busy this weekend and come to talk trash? Is that what you think of me?” She asked.
“What I think of you, does not matter. Let us calm down and wait for him to arrive, please.” I said.
The maid offered everyone a cup of coffee as we waited for my friend, Dominic to come.
“I’m inside my Study, let me know at once if Dominic arrives.” My father instructed, rising from the sofa and disappeared into the room.
“Son, I’m going to take a short nap. Wake me up if you need me.” My mother said and left.
Valerie quietly walked into the room adjacent to the sitting room and shut the door behind her. I could hear her sniffing incessantly and I wished there was anything I could do to help. I followed her, but the door was locked from inside.
“Valerie, can you open the door for me? Please, let me come in.” I pleaded.
She did not say a word in response. I knocked again for about three times but there was no response. I could only hear her sobs from outside. At last, I gave up and went back to the sitting room.
Tension hung in the air for so long a time that when I heard the honking of a car at the gate, my heart skipped a beat. Valerie was still in the guest room alone and Claire’s son was sleeping on the sofa. He looked so innocent, too bad that he is involved in this mess.
I rang the bell to signal the maid and when she came, I asked her to gather everyone. My mother was still feeling drowsy from having a short nap and my father wore his usual frown. Valerie was the last to step out , her eyes red and heavy laden. She had been obviously crying all these while. Claire came inside from the corridor, and lifted her son, keeping his head on her laps.
“He’s here. He should come upstairs any moment from now.” I said out loud to everyone.
I went to the staircase to meet with Dr. Dominic before he comes into the main house.
“Itsya pleasure to meet you again, it’s been a while.” He said, giving a half smile.
“Indeed it has. Now, the situation is that an old friend came here today, with a six year old boy which she claims to be my son. I know that I had an affair with her years back but it could not have resulted in a baby. You know what I mean.” I explained.
“So you need a confirmation, right?”
“Yes, I know the truth already within myself but I just need solid evidence, something that they can believe. It’s just a test, nothing serious.” I said.
“Alright then. I will take the blood samples today and bring the test results by tomorrow. Please lead me to them.” He said, trying to keep going but I stood in his way.
“Is there no way you can make the results to come out today? This is really urgent.” I demanded.
“I wish there was. I know how urgent it is and I know that you wish to settle this issue now, but you must be patient. You must not rush things. Now, please lead me to them.”
I took in a deep breath in defeat and led the way to the sitting room.
Dominic stepped into the room, sensing the tensed atmosphere, he looked grave. He greeted my father with a handshake, gave my mother a brief, side hug with a gentle kiss on her cheeks. He proceeded to greet everyone else before setting down his bag.
“Hello, everyone. I have been briefed on the current situation at hand. The best way to resolve is the method that Damian suggested; running a paternity test. All I will need is to draw up blood samples. One from the mother, another from the supposed father and lastly from the little boy. I hope it is okay?”
“But Doctor, don’t you think the boy is too little to go through this? There must be another way. My son hates needle being pierced into his delicate skin.” Claire protested, much to the chagrin of everyone.
“I thought you’d be delighted to be conducting this test, but you don’t seem to be. You need not worry about the boy, Ma’am. He is in safe hands. It will be a very quick session.” He reassured.
He tied the tourniquet on my arm and drew the blood from my veins into the syringe. He did same for the Claire and her son.
“That is all. I will go now and look into these samples and bring the results tomorrow. Once the result is ready, I will inform Damian and he will summon all of you to gather here. Have a nice day everyone.” He said and walked away.
For a moment, I began to doubt. What if the child turns out to be mine, what will become of Valerie? I cannot afford to lose her. Well, let me just look forward to see what tomorrow brings. I heaved a sigh of relief still wondering what the outcome could be.