Chapter 27 NEXT MORNING

Chapter 27 NEXT MORNING
CHAPTER

The next morning, I didn’t even know if I wanted to go to the office the next day. Hannah had already sent me a mail, telling me that I was supposed to have a meeting with Lucien. I didn’t want to be there. But it was at the expense of the company. He was more than capable of doing anything. Stopping the supply of the materials, and everything.
“Bye, mom!” Anna and James screamed at the same time, and I quickly plastered a fake smile on my face as I waved back at them. At least I was finally able to send the both of them to school after putting off their questions about Lucien not coming into the house to eat ice cream with them.
I felt slightly guilty as I picked my phone up to call Olivia again. She answered immediately, and I could hear her zip her bag, heaving slightly.
“Hey girl,” she answered, making me smile.
“Hey, Oli.” I started, but she already cut me short.
“In case this is something about me coming to the city, you don’t have to worry, I’ve already managed to book my flight. I’ll be there to surprise the kids before they return from school.”
I heaved a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you know that I need you here. But I also wanted to ask for your advice for something else.”
“Troubles of the heart? You should have just called me to protect the children, you know.”
I hated how hard I was smiling. She always knew how to get to me. I was more than glad that I had a friend like her.
“I have a meeting with Lucien today. Do you think I should go there?”
“Oh, Lila,” she whispered. “You have been putting on this face of a strong woman. Of course, that is exactly what you are becoming. You don’t need my permission or opinion for something like this. If you can face him, you go. If you can't, take your shoes off and take a nap on your king sized bed.”
I wanted to mention that the bed still had his scent on it, but I couldn’t even bring myself to sat that.
“Of course,” I ended up saying. “Thank you, Oli.”
“Anytime, Lils. I’m here for you.”
I hung up, and headed to the office immediately. “Is everything okay, Miss. Lila?” Hannah asked, as soon as I walked in, and I nodded, before taking a look at myself in the mirror, taking in how nervous I looked. It was nothing compared to the way my heart was hammering in my chest.
There were countless things that could happen if Lucien was already in my office, waiting for me. He could either agree to forget everything that happened, or he could continue with the questioning. I would honestly prefer the former.
“Is Mr. Knight in my office already?” I asked, and she nodded affirmative before the words even left my mouth.
“He has been at the office immediately the doors were open.” She said, and I was forced to swallow hard.
There was no way he wasn’t going to bring up the subject again. I managed to tip my head, as I walked towards the office. I exhaled one more time as my fingers curled round the cold handle of the door. I pushed it open, and he was staring right at me. I had to blink twice to make sure I wasn’t imagining things.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, and he narrowed his eyes at me.
“Have you forgotten that we have a meeting to carry out?” he asked. I rubbed my palms against my gown as I walked over to my seat setting my bag on the table. I turned on my laptop, turning the screen to him.
“So, Hannah, me, and some of the executives were able to carry out a few calculations, and according to the statistics, these are the amounts of fabrics that will be needed. We will still need your company for the installment of some of the sewing equipment. I’m tired of having the weaving done outside.”
“What happened to the previous one?” he asked, frowning.
“Overload. Turns out that one machine shouldn’t handle all the work.”
I could see a small smirk on his face, and I knew that he was about to tease me. But he didn’t. Instead, he exhaled slowly.
“I’ll have Light schedule the supply of two machines. The company gives you one free one.”
My eyes widened immediately. He had to be joking. “You’re joking, right?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I can't take it. I will love to, but I can't just accept the fact that you’re giving me something that expensive. You can send both machines, but I will only be able to pay for one now. The second one will be paid for, in installments.”
He reclined in his seat, and I knew what he had in mind almost immediately. He was definitely going to use the installment money to get something for me. He was stubborn, just like Anna. I held myself back from laughing at how cute he looked.
“Is that all?” he asked, and I scrolled through my notes on my laptop again.
“Well, the designs for the materials aren’t exactly done. New designs are being brought up almost every day, and we were also thinking of doing something traditional. So of course, Hannah will communicate everything to you.”
He nodded, reaching over as he closed the laptop shut.
“You know the actual reason I’m here,” he said, and I swallowed hard, as I tried to feign innocence. I was always bad at doing that around him.
I tipped my chin. “I have no idea about what you’re saying, Lucien.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “You raise your chin when you’re lying. When you’re trying to be defensive.”
I hated how well he knew me. But I was slightly ready for him. “I have nothing to be defensive about. Those are my friend’s kids, and I have nothing to prove.”
“Oh, you have a whole lot to prove, Lila. I heard when they clearly called you mom. Anna was tired of the lies you were making her tell.”
“Fine!” I almost screamed, slamming my palms on the table. He didn’t even flinch. “The kids are mine.”
It was almost like he wasn’t breathing. Then he slowly blinked. “They’re my kids.” I couldn’t tell if he was stating a fact, or if he was asking a question.
“No,” I said, slowly shaking my head. “They’re not your kids.” He obviously didn’t believe me.
“Who is their father then?” he asked. “I know you. You wouldn’t just go with any other man. The kids are mine.”
I hated how right he was. Or how calm he was about the whole thing. There was no way I could prove that the kids were someone else’s. Plus, I couldn’t even think of any man that I could lie with.
I cocked my head to the side, with my confidence immediately being restored. “Then you don’t know me,” I said. “I’m a changed woman. Am I still the Lila that you knew all those years ago?”
“Fine then,” he whispered. “Tell me who their father is.”
“Dante,” I said, biting my tongue immediately it rolled of my lips.
“Lies!” he said, slamming his hands against the table, as soon as he stood up. I held myself back from flinching. “And don’t you dare try to hide the kids from me. Or deny me any access I have towards them. I will prove that they are my kids. And you won't even be able to deny it, Ava Miller.”
My heart was racing in my chest as he spoke. “What did you just say?” I asked, and he sneered.
“What?” he asked. “Are you shocked that I found out who you were actually living as in Tuscany?”
I opened my mouth, but the words refused to spill. Tears were already pricking the back of my eyes as he turned on his heel, and headed out of the office.
I leaned back on my chair, inhaling sharply as I tried to catch my breath. Things were slipping out of my control, and I didn’t know how to hold it back anymore. How far will Lucien go?