Love, Lies and Billionaires

“What’s he doing here?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Believe me, I’m the last person to ask that question,” she said, her eyes darting here and there like she was looking for something.

“I thought he was married to that Irene lady?”

“He said they’re separated and I guess it’s true because I haven’t seen her around accusing me of stealing her man.” Maren replied, and Nella folded her arms and kept her eyes on William.

William walked over to where the two ladies stood, maintaining his smile. They both watched as she stretched the little box towards Maren.

“A gift for my son,” he said, keeping his eyes on Maren, not minding the murderous glares from Nella.

Maren just stared at him and then at the gift table, indicating he should drop it himself.

“No, I want you to do it,” he insisted. Maren just rolled her eyes, snatched the package from him and dropped it on the table before turning to him and folding her arms.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Really? At my son’s birthday party?” William asked, checking his wristwatch like he was planning to leave soon…or not.

“This party was strictly by invitation, and you were definitely not on the list. I really don’t even want to ask how you got past the guards”

“You know, I’ve been away to Spain on business for a long time and all I could think of is my son. I’m back now, and I want him. If I can’t have both of you, I want him by all costs”

Maren’s heart skipped a beat at his seriousness, but she maintained her composure and kept her gaze on him.

“Why don’t we just help ourselves and make this day go well for us all, okay?” He said and picked up a glass of wine from one server who passed by with a tray to go serve the guest who had just arrived.

She stared at him for a while as he took a sip of the wine before she walked away to meet the guests.

“Philip! You made it!” Maren exclaimed as she sighted Mr. Blackwood at the entrance of the garden.

“Well, there was no way I’d miss Nathan’s birthday, Maren,” he replied and reached out for a hug from her. She took it with surprise on his face and somehow it felt so fatherly.

It made her wonder why he was so hard on Alexander.

“Have this* she said as the three guards who accompanied him each gave her a gift bag.

“Oh, thank you,” she said with a broad smile. “I’m glad you’re getting better, sir,” she added

“I’m glad as well.” He said and looked at the time. “Where is Alexander?”

“I really don’t know. He left for a meeting early this morning and said he’ll be back soon but he’s nowhere to be found.” Maren said and noticed his impatience.“No worries, Nathan will be out soon and we’ll begin.”

“You know I can’t stay, dear. I…”

“Grandpa?”

All eyes turned to the little man who had spoken behind Mr. Blackwood. “Now here’s the birthday boy!” Mr. Blackwood said and Nathan hugged him tightly by the leg.

Nathan was all dressed up in a white suit, which he had picked out himself and his hair brushed simply. Maren just stood by, both surprised that Nathan had called him grandpa and how quickly they had formed a bond.

“You know, grandpa has to go work, but don’t worry, grandpa got you something,” he said and gestured to the bags in Maren’s hands.

“Thank you grandpa,” he said excitedly.

“Alright now, run along. Don’t keep your guests waiting.”

“Thanks a lot, Philip,” Maren said as she followed Rose, who held Nathan, into the garden.

“The birthday boy has arrived!!”

****

“You think because you dumped Irene and began making appearances in our lives you can just show up one day and decide to take Nathan?” Maren raged

“I’m his father, Maren. I have a right to be in his life,” William said, with all seriousness in his tone.

The party had ended hours ago and everyone had surprisingly behaved themselves, which made Nathan’s birthday one of the many he won’t forget.

It was now dark outside and every other person had gone except William, who seemed like he’d planned to take Nathan that night.

Maren scoffed and walked so close to him that he could feel her breath on her face. “Father? You weren’t even good enough to be a husband! You cheated on me on our wedding day!”

“You walked away without blinking an eye and now you think you can just stroll back in here and expect him to call you dad?”

William tucked his arms into his pockets, standing his ground. “You of all people should know that a child needs both parents to grow up. You need to do what’s best for our son”

“Okay, first of all, he’s not our son. He’s my son and second, you’re the last person who should be talking about what’s best for someone you weren’t there for when he was born!” She shot back, her voice rising and going round the house gradually.

No one else knew better than to show up in the living room at the sound of their voices.

She pushed at his chest but instead, it made her move back as he seemed rooted to the spot. “He doesn’t know you, William. He calls you ‘the nice man’ and acknowledges Alexander as his dad.” she folded her arms across her chest and moved closer to him.

“As a matter of fact, you’re not even his actual father” her voice was low, icy and serious.

William scoffed in amusement. “That has to be the worst joke to ever be told.”

“Unbelievable right?” Maren asked, fighting the urge to smile at the initial disappointment on his face, which he had tried to hide. “Nathan is not yours. You’re just a cover up for my shit,” she said with so much confidence.

William smiled and shook his head slightly. “Go work on your lies, Maren. You…”

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Alexander’s voice came, grave and husky.