Chapter 40

Michael.

No! This can’t be happening, there is no fucking way Claire was going to rat me out to my dad. Has she lost her damn mind?

“Wait!” I wailed rushing to catch up with her but she was already across the garden, heading straight to where my father stood with his new bride as they both spoke to the guests from all over the world just to attend his wedding, I couldn't let Claire ruin his big day just because she couldn't control her goddamn emotions.

Well, it was already too late. She had already reached him before I did. I could see her tilt her head towards my father, mouthing words I couldn’t make out due to the loud music.

Damn! How did I let her slip out of my fingers?

I should have given her a listen earlier, maybe this wouldn’t have even happened.

What was she saying?

That I had gotten her pregnant and I was responsible for that one huge business deal he lost?

Damn, I quickened my footsteps, I needed to make things right!

I pushed through guests dressed in expensive gowns and tuxes carrying a glass of wine in hand. By the time I had arrived beads of sweat had already formed on my forehead and my palms were moist and warm.

“Father!” I blurted out, drawing the attention of everyone in that corner, including Heather. “Please, don’t believe a word she says, I can explain…”

Claire chuckled and to my surprise, my father joined in too, a moment later everyone was laughing like clowns at a circus. I had no idea what was damn funny.

“Son,” he chirped, “There is no need to explain. I know you get shy about these  things but I want you to know that I'm proud of you, son!”

I blinked twice at him, utterly stunned.

What was he even talking about?

Why was he proud of me?

All I've ever done is soil his name in the mud.

I parted my lips about speaking when he cut me off.

“Claire here just told me the most amazing news,” his eyes shimmered with pride as he looked from Claire to me. “She said you have been working on a special project, in her words, it's the next big thing. How did I not realise my own son was such  a bundle of talents, eh?”

My heart slowed immediately and I let out a breath I didn't even realise I was holding. I glanced at Claire. She stood next to my father, a sweet smile curling on her lips like someone who had just pulled off a badass heist. I couldn't help but wonder what she was up to, or what she stood to gain by playing these games with me.

“Eh, it's nothing serious, just some stupid school stuff!”

“Stupid?” he smirked, shaking his head. “No son of mine is stupid, I call that the spirit of the future CEO of the Boltons’ enterprise. Don't you agree, wifey?”

Heather forced a laugh, her gaze fixated on me like she had just heard the worst thing ever.

“I agree with my love. Michael always finds a way to surprise us.” Her voice was smooth but I know sarcasm when I see one. I clenched my jaw angry. She thought she had leverage over me like she could destroy me with just a snap of her finger but the smile returned when I remembered what my father said about playing with her feelings and emotions because she was nothing but a gold digger.

Aw. The poor girl must have thought she was so hot.

My father's brows danced as he glared at me. I knew that move he was about to introduce me to his business partners but I wasn’t in the mood for that. I excused myself then grabbed Claire’s wrists to a place farther than where they were

“What was that about Claire?” I scowled in anger, if I had fangs I would probably be sinking them in her neck right now. “Why did you have to do that?”

“You should be thanking me for changing my mind, now are you ready to listen to what I have to say?”

“Go ahead!” I said half heartedly.

She softened her gaze leaning in, her voice laced with sweetness. “I know you don’t want to know anything about the baby but I went for a scan today. And the doctor said that the baby is kicking.

“More like… fetus..”

“Whatever I’m using because it’s still  too early to determine its gender yet  but he said it’s good and in good condition.”

No matter what tone she used it still didn’t sound right in my ears instead my anger went from zero to a hundred!

“Are you dead?” I tried hard not to raise my voice. “I’ve told you times without numbers that I am not responsible for that…. Things in your belly, I’ve always used protection. Every single time so what the fuck are you saying?”

Immediately tears formed in her eyes, “I’ve told you I’m going to do the DNA, please  don’t do this….”

“No!” I cut her off. “You don’t get to pin this on me. Whoever the father is, it isn’t me and I can prove that, and this dumb conversation? You should be having it with him, not me.”

“I’ll destroy you Michael, I won’t let you make me face this alone!” She threatened a tear sliding down her flushed cheek, damn, she was going to cause a scene and that’s the last thing I wanted right now.

“You need to stop crying, Claire,”

She didn’t listen. She sank her face in her hands tears rolling down so fast like a dam just broke. “People are looking at us! Get a grip!” I leaned in whispering into her ears maintaining a fake smile. “My father hired the media, they are everywhere looking for anything unusual to sell to the paparazzi. Do you want to ruin his wedding day?”

“ So that's all you care about huh? Well, let them look. That should make news for the Boltons, y’all would be trending soon, don’t you think? Or isn’t that what you both want? Y’all always want publicity? Does it matter if it’s good or bad?”

Every word made me rage with anger. I was determined to shut her up by all means. I had far more important things to focus on.

“Look at me!” I demanded. “I’ll wire you some money, enough to get rid of that thing in your tummy. And that’s all the support you would get from me.”

“But you said…”

“It’s barely a month, perfect! Now don’t ever come near me again or I’ll call the police on you!” I threatened to walk away leaving her standing alone like a clown.

Of course, she is a clown for putting me through this stress.

As I stride back to the party my phone chimes repeatedly in my pocket. Heather’s name appeared on the screen.

It read ‘What’s going on? You look stressed talking to that housekeeper girl.’

So she noticed too? If she did notice then everyone else in the party did.

The next text was: ‘Meet me at the stone staircase!”

I frowned, pausing mid-step. What the hell did she want from me now?

How dare she even text me while threatening me just a few days ago?

What game was she playing?

Immediately another message came through. : ‘I know you hate me and don’t want to hear from me but something happened. I did something I’m not proud of and you are the only one I can really tell!’

I rolled my eyes looking around the field for her. She wasn’t beside my father anymore, which told me something was wrong.

I downed the glass of vodka down my throat from a passing tray. I badly needed this.

“No… I won’t be involved in any more drama!” I promised myself as I stared at the blank space ignoring the continuous chiming.

In curiosity, I checked the phone.

Please! I need you!

Again I wanted to ignore it but it sounded far too urgent.

So I walked to the stone staircase

And there she was.

Heather stood at the base of the stairs dressed in a transparent white lacy gown I could see her brown hardened nipples through the dress

Immediately my pulse spiked

Was she mad or something?

Was this the urgent thing she wanted me to attend to?

She looked up at me, her eyes laced with seduction and hunger. “ I should be waiting in the master's bedroom for your father,” she mumbled a smirk on her face. “But I thought to fuck you first, then have sex with your dad after.”

My heart is filled with disgust just at the mere thought of this.

“You are just drunk,” I muttered about turning to leave when she ran to me holding the hem of my suit jacket.

“Don’t you leave please!” She laughed “I’ve always had a huge crush on you Michael, and back there I imagined marrying you instead of him.”

She tries to forcefully lean in for a kiss but I push her away  “Stop it, Heather! This is crazy!”

Before I could take her hands off me I heard a distant noise of a camera shot followed by a bright

FLASH.

Someone had just taken our picture.