CEO Leo’s Baby Mama Is Back

Chapter 39 Choice and Chance

WILSON’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.

Ana paced the living room back and forth hissing and mumbling profanities under her breath. “I can’t believe she would do that? What exactly is wrong with that girl?” She yelled.

“Calm down.” Her friend, Desire cautioned. “Your legs aren’t so strong it would be nice for you to sit.”

Ignoring the warning, she stood by the stairs and yelled. “Chloe! I’m sure you can hear me girl. Get your bloody ass down here.”

“Can you not bully the girl, please.” Charles muttered from the couch he sat on, looking pleadingly towards his wife.

She turned angrily to her husband. “Don’t you start with your pity party, Charles. It’s your fault that she acts so privileged and spoilt. She needs to know we work fucking hard to get the money she spends. Not with her stupid hobby that doesn’t earn her anything.”

“She does earn well, Ana. Chloe has just been distracted by the wedding preparation lately.” Desire chipped in.

Ana threw daggers at Desire with her eyes. “Don’t interfere in this. You are not helping.” She warned.

Chloe stood at the top of the stairs with her heart pacing rapidly, the one person she fears the most is her mother. Ana Wilson doesn’t make anything convenient for anyone.

“I’m here, mom.” She whispered, descending the stairs quietly.

“Oh, the princess finally has my goddamn time.” Ana mumbled sarcastically.

“Ana.” Charles drawled in frustration. “Let the child be.”

“Sit!” Ana ordered Chloe the moment she got closer.

Gulping hard, Chloe sat obediently. “Mom, please try and understand how I felt.”

“Are you dumb?” Her mother screamed. “What stupid emotion are you trying to bank on? How does whatever Leo did in the past affect you? You are the future and that is what matters. Why would you behave like a thug and slap him all for something so small? Did he ask to end the relationship?”

“He lied to me, mom.” She insisted.

“And do you know the number of lies your father has told me?” Ana stated, glaring at her husband who tried to hide his face. “Have you suddenly forgotten all of the reason why you are marrying Leo? Have you forgotten so soon how important this is for all of us?”

Sobbing quietly, Chloe looked down on her manicured fingers. “I will do what is expected of me, mom.”

“You had better do or I promise to make your life a living hell.” She threatened. “Go back to your room.” Ana ordered as she watched Chloe scamper off with a disgruntled look on her face.

“Ana! This girl isn’t a teenager anymore. Leave her to make her decisions!” Desire cautioned, looking towards Chloe receding back with pity in her eyes.

Ana scoffed. “You aren’t the one with just one lifeline of survival, Desire. Don’t pretend to understand.”

“I can’t believe I am here listening to all of this. You are so out of it, Ana.” Charles gritted clenching his fist.

“I’m not a coward like you are. It’s your fault that all of this is happening. I am not going to forfeit my luxurious life for you and your stupid daughter.” She hissed.

Chloe covered both ears with her palm to keep from hearing the bickering going on downstairs between her father and mother. She had gladly accepted to be a part of this and would be wrong for her to act like a saint. When her parents business seem to be falling into bankruptcy, affiliating with a well to do family appears to be the most palpable option. Her meeting with Leo and the enforced marriage was a game of chance and choice. Chloe had always had eyes for Leo and would stick to him like glue. When his mother brought the deal of her parents buying shares with Robin Motors to gain more stance for Leo, her parents had scraped the last of their savings pouring everything into Leo with the clause that both children must be married. That would enable Chloe a share in the business being the CEO’s wife and also an improvement to their business in form of a merger.

The joy Chloe felt knew no bounds, she has never wanted any man more like she wanted Leo. Despite knowing he doesn’t want her that much, she still played along and it didn’t feel like too much work at first. But now it feels like she is indeed throwing herself away all for her parents retirement. Things would be blown out of proportion if she tries to voice her disinterest. At the same time, Chloe knows she doesn’t have the courage to leave Leo. Her obsession for him knows no bound or probably it’s just her fear of becoming lonely. She doesn’t have much advantage of suitors lining up at her door and certainly not the kind of suitors her parents would have preferred.

The tears lingered in her eyes as the memory of her action at Darby’s place of work struck her. Covering her face in shame, she screamed like a maniac. Letting the tears fall freely, she picked up her phone. It was a mistake coming to her parents house to sort solace. She should have just handled it by herself just as her godmother had advised.

She tapped on Leo’s contact, hoping he isn’t still mad at her. It has been two days since the incident and he still hasn’t reached out to her. Chloe hopes fervently that he doesn’t call off the wedding cause that would be the very end of her already miserable life.

Her heart raced as the line rang, Chloe gasped lightly when he did pick up. ‘Hi.’ There was a long silence on the other line, before she heard some movement in the background.

‘What do you want Chloe?’ Leo’s stiff voice questioned.

‘Baby.’ She cooed tearfully.

He sucked in a breath. ‘I must have you know that I have important things to do, Chloe. I don’t want to appear rude by hanging up on you. It would best if you get on with whatever you have to say.’

‘Leo, why are you so angry at me, baby? You hurt me.’ Chloe sniffed.

‘I will hang up right now if you try to play the victim card one more time.’ He warned.

Knowing he would very well keep to his promise, she sat up and cleared her clogged nose. ‘Listen, baby. I’m sorry, forgive me for losing my manners like that. I was just overwhelmed by it all and I didn’t know when I misbehaved. Forgive me, Leo. Please.’ She sobbed.

Leo exhaled slowly into the receiver. ‘I am sorry I hid the fact that I knew Darby from you, but it’s not like I cheated. I had barely even known the child. You didn’t need to harass Darby like that and I would need you to apologize to her before we get to talk better.’

‘I promise you, baby. I would make sure to apologize. I am sorry and…I miss you.’

‘Okay, Chloe. Do well to act right, you are not suppose to be found in such unappealing situation.’ He paused, almost like he was thinking of what to say. ‘Are you home?’

A small shy smile danced on her lips. ‘I am at my parents home.’

‘Okay. I will talk to you later. I am quite busy at the moment.’ He mused.

‘Alright, honey. Bye.’

As soon as the call ended, Chloe’s sour mood changed totally as she shrieked loudly in delight. This is why she would always choose Leo, only a responsible man would be respectful towards a woman he isn’t madly in love with. He would always be her choice over and over again.

Finally she can get to take a breather away from her mother’s spitefulness.

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DS FASHION HOUSE, LOS ANGELES.

Isabella cleared her throat smiling widely at Darby but it almost felt fake. “Hey.” She drawled.

Looking up from her sketch pad, Darby raised a brow. “What is it?”

She pulled out the chair opposite Darby in a hurry to sit in. “So I was thinking, if you won’t mind sharing what has your mind preoccupied lately. I also see the girls whispering between themselves, but none of them will tell me anything.”

Darby sniffed, focusing her eyes on her work. Two days ago had been a shocking evening with Chloe’s unexpected attack. After sending a stiff warning to the assistants to keep quiet about what happened if they still needed their job, she had also ensured to keep mute about it to avoid drawing attention. What matters is Sinclair being happy with his father and nothing more.

“Your mind is wandering again. You have been in this phasing out mood for days, why won’t you share your thoughts?” Isabella whined.

“There is nothing to share, Bella. I don’t know why you think my decision to stay quiet for a few days is a call for intervention.”

“That’s what it appears to be. I thought you would be more relieved now that Sinclair has met with the man who fathered him, but it appears you have plunged into another deep thinking. I am your friend, Darby and not just a nanny to your son. It’s why I worry about you.”

Darby let out a long breath, her habit of keeping things to herself had stemmed from growing up without having a friend or foe to share one’s problem with which is why it feels straining to tell Isabella or Zac things that bother her.

“I’m sorry, Bella. You know how these things are for me. Something did happen on the night I stayed back to work late…” Her words was cut short by the sudden yank of the office door.

Both women stared towards the supposed intruder and to their surprise it was Chloe. Darby’s heart raced at the sight of her. She worried that Chloe would throw tantrums again not minding the presence of her son.

“I will excuse you.” Isabella mused as she hurried out of the space.

“You shouldn’t be here, Chloe.” Darby said as soon as they were alone. “I don’t want to be forced to throw you out. I need you to leave right this minute.” She said sternly.

“I promise I am not here to harass you or anything like that. Instead I came to apologize.” Chloe responded.

Even though it had been a hard decision for her to make. The only set of people she had ever pleaded with intentionally was her mom and Leo. Her pride means more to her, however she had to admit that her attitude towards Darby was uncouth. It still wouldn’t have prompted an apology if Leo hadn’t insisted on it. She has come a long way and worked too hard to throw caution to the wind and call it quit.

Swallowing hard, Chloe inhaled and exhaled deeply. “You have every right to be angry, Darby. I am extremely disappointed in myself for coming at you in such uncouth manner. I had no right to slap you and I am so sorry for that. It was a sudden news and it felt like you had intentionally kept it away from me because of some hidden intention.

Darby tilted her head to observe Chloe closely, she could almost read through the facade she put on but who was she to refuse the apology? At least she was thoughtful enough to do so. She sighed.

“I understand your plight perfectly, Chloe. And I feel bad for not thinking to tell you about it, but I didn’t think it was necessary. More because myself and Leo don’t talk. I just need you to know that me letting Leo into Sinclair’s life has nothing to do with me. My son needs to know his father and as his mother, it is expected of me to do what is best in his behalf. You don’t have to see my boy as your stepson, however please don’t treat him like an enemy. I will understand if you wish not to be my client anymore. I just hope we would be able to get along better in the future.”

Taking a close step towards Darby, Chloe reached for her hand. “I promise, this kind of mess won’t happen again. Thank you so much for your consideration. I really appreciate it and trust me I have no plan of changing you as my stylist. Your brilliance can’t be underestimated. Thank you.”

Darby held up a small smile. “Thank you too. I really appreciate your coming.”

“I will go now, see you later.” She muttered making her way to the door.

Picking up the pen she had been using to sketch, Darby exhaled. She wasn’t sure of how to describe the emotion she felt as things moved too fast. One day she had just arrived LA, happy to be in business and in no time she seem to have a number of problems to deal with.

The door opened halting her thought, Isabella entered with a questioning look on her face. “Do you care to share what transpired between you two?”

Darby shrugged as she dropped the pen. “It’s of no use hiding it. The night I returned late to the house, Chloe had come around angrily over the news of Sinclair being Leo’s son.”

“How did she get to know?”

“Because I asked Leo to tell her. If not I won’t let him see the child.”

“Why would you do that?”

Darby let out a dry chuckle. “Don’t be naive Isabella, what do you think would have happened later on if the truth gets hidden. Chloe practically pounced on me on the excuse that I pretended not to know her husband. She definitely would have done something worse if I had stalled till later.”

Isabella had a pity look in her eyes as she observed Darby. She admires how strong and independent she is. Darby seems to have a kind of force that prompts her to keep pushing and never settling. It makes Isabella want more out of life than just surviving. It takes an exceptionally determined person to come this far.

“Are you bothered about exposing Sinclair to this rift?” She asked.

“Not at all. Even if I don’t know anything about Leo, I can tell for sure that he would do all that it takes to keep my son safe. I don’t know how I would have acted in Chloe’s shoes, so I wouldn’t be quick to condemn her action. All I want is for her to not extend any kind of dislike towards my son. I don’t care what anyone says about me, but I would fight tooth and nail against anyone who makes mention of my son or tries to harm him.” Darby had a distant look in her eyes.

Grinning proudly, Isabella snorted. “You are a fierce bear mama. No one will dare come close.”

She chuckled. “So where is he?”

“He is playing stylist with Irene and Pamela. Do you think he would like to be like you?”

“Nah, he should be more like his father. I don’t want to sound like a gold digger, but damn! He is rich.” Darby couldn’t resist the urge to be dramatic as she blew at herself with her hand.

Isabella laughed loudly, “I see you are proud to have a billionaire’s son. I would be thrilled too. I had better start taking notes from you on how to land a rich man as a baby daddy.” She teased.

“Now you are crazy.” She laughed. “Please leave, I need to finish this sketches.”

She raised her hand in surrender. “As your lordship pleases. Should I bring you some refreshments?”

“It would be deeply appreciated. But for now, please go.” Darby responded with a grin as she shooed her off.