Page 67 of The Billionaire's Off Chance

“She went out.” He steps beside me, confusion playing on his features. “She went to stay with her mom for a while. Hopefully, she will return soon.”

“Oh,” he says simply and sits by me, with his legs folded. “I miss her already, Dad.”

“I do too, Son. Come here.” I pull him closer. He hugs me, pressing his face to my chest. She has taken such a huge place in my heart that my home feels incomplete without her. I wonder what that says about my feelings for her.

That night, I call her, and she didn't answer. Setting my phone aside, I think back to the night at the club when I first met her. Suddenly, I remember that Igor and I were there. He brought me home and should know about my movements that night. I call him. He answers after a few rings. “Brother, why are you calling me this late at night?” Igor says tiredly.

I get straight to the point. “Do you remember the night we went to unwind at the Crystal Club?”

“Hmm…yes, although vaguely. What about it?”

“A woman named Pearl came to the house, claiming I met her there, and we had sex. She assumes I’m responsible for her pregnancy. Did you notice me going off with her?”

Igor is silent for a minute, and I hold my breath. He responds, “We were together the whole night. You danced with several women. I can’t be sure if this Pearl is who or what she says she is. Until you can prove the child is yours, stay skeptical.” He chuckles and adds, “If it is true, you’ll be the first to have two kids in the wild before you’re married.”

“This isn’t funny, Igor. Find out who Pearl is. Check with the club and see if she’s a regular. I suspect she and Claudette are working together.”

“Will do, brother. What about Chasmin? How’s she taking the news?”

“Not well. She went back to her mom.” I reply curtly.

“Shit, that’s bad. Be a man and get her back before it’s too late.”

“I know. Thanks, Igor. Goodnight.” I end the call and wonder how to get Chasmin to answer me. A lightbulb goes on in my head. She’s still my assistant; as her boss, I can order her to come to work. Even though there isn’t much to do at the company, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that she comes when I call.

I send her a text to come to the company tomorrow afternoon for an emergency meeting with an important client. A flagrant lie, but if it brings her out of her shell and into my arms, then that’s a win. She replies immediately.

I better take my chance and make this work.

Chapter 35

CHASMIN

Istaycurledupin bed. I hear Mom’s footsteps as she comes around, then leaves when I don’t respond. I don’t know what to say to communicate how hurt I feel at the moment. Lance supposedly has another woman who’s pregnant. My bruised ego is due to him keeping it from me. I feel tired, sick, and heavy. I can’t tell what’s wrong, but I attribute it to my current disagreement with Lance.

One thing is for certain: I can’t ignore him or stay away, either. I love him dearly and don’t want to lose what we have. I want some time to myself and for him to make this right. Lance has already sent a message, requesting that I turn up at the company tomorrow for an emergency meeting. I know it’s a ploy to get me to see him, yet I want to go. To do or say what exactly, I wonder.

It's a new day since I had left for Mom’s. I should see Lance today, yet I have no enthusiasm. Mom enters my room again. I turn away, but I can tell by the aroma that she is bringing food. “Mom, I’m not hungry,” I tell her, burying my face in a pillow.

She doesn’t reply and sets the tray down on the nightstand. I feel the side of the bed depressing as she sits and places her soft, warm hand on my forehead. “You aren’t running a temperature. What’s the matter, darling? You haven’t said anything since you arrived. Now that I have brought you a meal, you’re sending me away. That’s not fair. Please, talk to me. I’m worried.” The distress in her voice makes me uncomfortable.

I sit up, hanging my head down, not looking at her. I don’t know how to face her and tell her what’s going on with me. I try to generate an appetite for the meal in front of me, but I feel nothing. The idea of opening my mouth to eat seems hard.

“You and Lance had a fight?” she asks, with a knowing voice.

“Am I that obvious?” I ask with a mirthless chuckle.

“That’s the only reason you’d show up here. How bad is it?” She rests an open hand on my thigh for me to place my hand in hers.

A few tears roll from my eyes. “I feel so confused and conflicted, Mom. It seems that Lance got another woman pregnant and kept it from me. This supposedly happened before we met, and I’m not mad about it. But keeping it from me when we should work through it together makes me have doubts.” I look into her eyes, seeing understanding and compassion.

“Do you doubt your love for him?”

Her question takes me aback. I know the answer without having to think too hard. “No, I do love him. But love isn’t enough, Mom. I need him to be honest with me.”

She sighs and adjusts herself on the bed. “Have you always been honest with him? No. You learned to be honest with him?” I nod in agreement. “Chasmin, you must understand that you can’t run away when you have an argument. You have to work through it. It’s undeniable that he hurt your feelings, but you shouldn’t just leave him. Doesn’t he want to reconcile?”

“He wants to, yes,” I whisper. The truth of Mom’s words are dawning on me.

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