Page 17 of Billionaire's Baby Mistake

Of course, that can’t happen. I don’t think it’s a good idea for anyone to know about us just yet, just in case people suspect that I’m giving her preferential treatment, plus we don’t even know what we are to one another, but it’s fun to think about all the same. I picture her in that black dress she wore at the gala when we slept together for the first time, and my heart goes wild. This is the real deal; I can see that now. I need to decide what to do with it.

“Time to go, I suppose,” I mutter while glancing at my watch. I’m already a bit late and don’t want to worsen the problem. I have been known to make a big entrance, which I’ll do tonight because it’s what people have come to expect, but tonight there will only be one face to scan the crowd for.

As I burst into the room, and I smile and wave at everyone, I find my eyes flickering much quicker than usual, trying to find her; but in the end, it isn’t Zaya that catches my attention. Instead, it’s a female face I wasn’t expecting.

“Mom?” I gasp in shock before wrapping my arms around her. “What are you doing here?”

“I had to come, didn’t I?” she mumbles into my chest. “I could tell you needed me when you called me the other day, so I made my way here immediately.” That’s soher, and I don’t know how I didn’t predict that before. She pulls back to look into my eyes, smiling happily at me.

“I want to see how you’re doing, what’s going on with the business, and, of course, I also want to meet this girl.” She looks everywhere, trying to guess who it could be. But she won’t because there are so many women in the room. “Are you going to introduce me?”

“I will; I just need to check that she’s here,” I tell her seriously. “She’s only just come out of the hospital, and I hope she’s well enough to here…” Then I see Zaya, sitting at a table alone, looking like a vision of beauty. I can tell she isn’t entirely herself, given that she’s gripping a bottle of water, but she’s here and can now meet Mom…

God, I hope that doesn’t freak her out and she doesn’t feel under pressure. That could put her off me entirely. I’ll have to make this seem more causal than it is. Like Mom is just meeting everyone.

“She’s over there, Mom,” I tell her discretely. “But don’t make a huge fuss. We’re still quite casual, and no one knows about us yet, so don’t get too crazy, okay?” I must warn her because I don’t want her to go off like she’s been known to. “Just be cool.”

“I will, I will,” she tuts. “Just take me to her.”

As we walk over to the table where Zaya is sitting, I smile widely, happy to have this moment. She’s incredible, and I hope this might be the bridge that opens us up to more. She really is the first person that I’ve ever wanted more with, and it’s a glorious sensation.

“Zaya, how are you?” I ask, sliding into the seat next to her. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m much better, thanks,” she replies as she grins. “Glad to be out of the hospital at any rate.”

“Um… I want to introduce you to my mother, Jenny. She’s decided to join us for the night…” but before I can get much further, Mom is in the other seat, completely overshadowing the conversation. She’s her usual, warm, bubbly self, which Zaya seems to respond well to.

“Hello there, Zaya. It’s lovely to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you…” I shoot Mom a warning look, which thankfully she catches. “And how had you work for the business.”

I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding when Zaya responds happily. Just knowing she isn’t totally freaked out is a positive step in the right direction. Now I can sit back and let them get to know one another properly…They chat for a very long time about themselves and the business. They start putting the world right while I sit there in silence, mesmerized by their bond. I keep wanting to join in the conversation, but they’re speaking too quickly, so I sit back and enjoy the scene. This is amazing because I’ve never bothered to introduce Mom to a woman. It makes me realize just how important it is for my future wife (not saying that’s necessarily Zaya…) and my mother to get along.

“So, I have one thing to ask you,” Zaya asks in a tone that has me sitting up straighter in my seat. Is she about to ask about me? I hope she doesn’t because Mom won’t hold back. She’ll tell the truth, whatever it may be. “I asked Alex about the company's founding, but he doesn’t seem to know much, so I wondered if you do. There is an interesting story there somewhere, right? The two men are falling out….”

Of course, why didn’t I think about asking Mom? She was there after all and must know all of it. I should have gone to her way before I went to Nina…

“Of course, Peter – my husband – started the business with his best friend, David Connelly.” Oh, I don’t know much about this at all, and I’m fully invested. “They concocted the idea at a business event for the company they both worked for at the time. They wanted to start a pharmaceutical company that didn’t charge the earth for drugs. They had separate skillsets and personalities that worked well together, so they just did went for it. It was incredible.” She has a wistful look in her eyes, making me more interested. “They hired me first to be on the research team, so I was in it from the start.”

I knew some of this already, but it is interesting to hear again. “And then… the love triangle started.”

“Love triangle?” I jump in quickly, shocked to hear this.

“Yes,” Mom continues, looking sad. “Unfortunately, because of the close environment, feelings developed quickly on all sides.” I don’t even know what to say. I always assumed Mom and Dad were in love from the start. It’s strange to hear that their love story was just as complex as any of my friends, or even my own. “I had feelings for both of them and couldn’t decide. I suppose in a way I was leaning more toward David….”

“David?” I can’t seem to stop myself from interrupting. “Really?”

Not my father? So, Dad wasn’t her first choice? That’s a really weird feeling.

“Yes, and that caused complications. But it wasn’t the worst thing. Once David saw what he had created with the first drug, greed gripped him, and he wanted to charge too much for it. It went against everything the company was supposed to do, so Peter and the investors forced him out. It was a sad day for all of us. I have always regretted how it turned out.”

I swallow hard, trying to process all of this. “So… how did you end up with Dad?” There’s so much that I could focus on right now, but my mind only seems to center on this news.

“Well, without any distractions, my love for Peter just grew, and we ended up getting married…” She pauses thoughtfully before continuing. “David moved on very quickly too. The first thing I heard was that he was having a baby, so I can only assume he was happy….”

Before she can say anymore, our conversation is interrupted by Chris, who’s way too drunk and grabbing onto me. “Come on, they’re pulling out the karaoke machine. Let’s go.”

I don’t want to, and from the way Zaya shies away, she doesn’t want to either. But of course, Mom jumps up excitedly and raced to the microphone. I know how she gets like, and when she starts having fun, I won’t have aa chance to get any more information. I put a pin in it for now and refocus on Zaya. She is looking just as wistful as I feel. I wonder why all this seems to affect her as much as it does me. I lean in and take her hand in my own.

“Do you want to stay and wait for the food while watching that lot get increasingly drunk, or do you want to return to my room with me? I have a nice one.”

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