Chapter 17

Hussain POV

With my palms tucked under my head, I stared at the ceiling, it's almost 11:00 AM and I don't have the energy to get out of bed today, I should be heading to the firm, but I wasn't feeling like it. My mother, I haven't seen her in a long and time and her visit took me by surprise, at one point I thought it was Maria who called her to inform her about the... pregnancy, but according to my mother she was just visiting out of concern, but I know her, and I know that's not the reason. There was probably trouble back at the family mansion, between her and my Dad, maybe he was drinking again, cheating even, and that's one of the main reasons I can't... And will never get married, my parents are the perfect example of a loveless marriage, and neither party is willing to end it, because they didn't want to split the assets that greed got them.

Listening to the light knocking on the door, I glared at it, wondering if I should pretend to be sleeping or I should go see who it is. With rolling eyes, I slid out of bed, sighing with annoyance, I really just want to be left alone today, slipping into grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt, I ambled towards the door, "What?" I growled, peeping at Maria, through the slight door,

"Good morning sir, your mother wants you to have breakfast with her... Downstairs," she mumbled, not meeting my gaze,

"Tell her I will be right down," I slammed the door in her face Many may consider me as a ruthless billionaire, but I know Maria and I know this was planned, yes the act was my doings, but I was drunk and vulnerable, and she saw that and... She told me she was on the pill, I told Doctor Ramsay that we used protection, but I don't think we did, but still, in the morning I asked her if I should get her the morning after tablet, and she declined. After that night I kept sneaking in and out of her room, but we used condoms every time since, and now she is running to me with some bullshit story that she is pregnant. I will take care of the child, but that's about it, I will never be with Maria.

Clutching onto the sides of the bathroom sink, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, knowing that I am going to go downstairs to have breakfast with my mother, and she is going try and dig into my head for answers or clues about my personal life. Rinsing out my mouth with a cork of mouthwash, I washed my face, pat drying it with my favorite soft blue towel, before heading downstairs. Marching down the steps carefully, the table came into full view the further down I went. Pouring orange juice in my mother's glass, Maria gaze shifted to me, inflicting my mother's gaze to follow as well,

"It's about time, I was too hungry to wait in you, so I went ahead and started without you," she smiled "That's ok mother,"

"Maria here tells me, you hardly eat breakfast or dinner you would just rush in and out as you like,"

"Maria should also remember her place in this house, and that I choose to do as I like and when I like," I glared at her,

Fiddling with the necklace around her neck, my mother whispered something to Maria, causing her to set the jar of juice down slowly, before walking away, leaving my mother and I alone, "Should I bring the food to you up there? Or are you going to join me?" She glared at me standing at the staircase,

"I am not a breakfast person mother, I thought you knew this," I scoffed, marching downing the stairs and towards the table,

"I have three kids Hussain, sometimes I mix up the names and date of births, do you think I am going to remember your likes and dislikes," she chuckled, buttering a slice of bread Pulling out a chair, I poured myself a glass of orange juice, ignoring her remarks, inhaling the sweet aroma of fried eggs and bacon,

"Are you going to tell me what you're doing here?"

"I told you, I miss you and I wanted to spend some quality time with you,"

"Is that so? But you didn't even bother to call me so I can prepare for your visit," I swirled my glass around, the dancing ice cubes clinging against each other

"Prepare? Isn't your mother welcome here at any given time?" She kept focused on the plate before her, laying out bacon strips equally beside each other on the buttered side of the bread,

"That's not—you know what I mean,"

"You didn't want me to catch you with your girlfriend,"

"I don't have a—you know what's funny, you haven't been able to look me in the eyes for more than two seconds since last night, I know you're not here to visit me, you're here for a purpose, so tell me what it is mother,"

Placing the other slice of bread on top to complete her sandwich, she glanced up at me, "There is a family dinner, this week and everyone must be there,"

"I knew it," I shook my head, "I knew it had to be a reason, what's it is this time?"

"Your father and I have something important to say and we want all of you there," she reached out, cover my barely folded fist with her palm,

"I am not attending mother," I tugged my hand away from her clasp,

"Hussain Jared Myers, let me remind you that family meetings aren't up for discussion, you will attend and that's final,"

"Fine, I will come to your stupid conference,"

"This one is required for you to carry a guest,"

"Why does a guest need to be present at a family meeting," I narrowed my eyes on her,

"Trust me... You will need the company," she muttered biting heartily into her sandwich Taking another sip as she ate, my thoughts couldn't help but wonder what she meant, now I definitely will have to go, it sounded important, and I must be there when whatever it is unfolds, my family is known for drama and scandals, nothing new to our family name. Hearing the sound of a car engine, I raised to my feet, pacing towards the window,

"Are you expecting someone?"

"No, what is it?"

"There a white Nissan parked in my driveway,"

"Oh, that must be Jeffery," She stood from her seat,

"The driver?"

"Yes,"

"You're leaving? So soon," I pretended to be displeased, "Yes, unfortunately, I have cut my visit short, but remember what I said you are allowed to bring a date, your sibling is already making use of this opportunity, you should too,"

"Ok mom," I whispered,

"The meeting Friday, the announcement will be made over dinner,"

"Friday? This Friday or next?"

"This one, of course,"

"That's two days away mom," I pleaded "I know, so you better make hay while the sun shines," she scrambled out of the house,

Walking back to the table I began to pack away the plates, thinking, where am I going to get a date in two days, I can't bring just anyone, it has to be a woman appropriate and acceptable enough in my family's sight because they spare no one when it comes on the backlashing.

"You don't have to, that my job," Maria whispered behind me,

"It's ok, you should be getting some rest," I glared at her over my shoulders She remained silent, and I did too as tension closed in on us, sucking the oxygen out of the room,

"I didn't tell her, " She added, "I didn't tell her about the baby... About us," she whispered, "Us?" I turned to face her, "Maria, there is no us," I marched past her, heading into the kitchen. Emptying my untouched food into the bin, I lowered the dishes into the sink "But she is going to find out one way or the other, everyone will," she walked in, "What are you going to tell them then?"

"That you are a mistake," I grumbled "Why don't you love me, Hussain, why do you despise me so much?"

"Love?" I chuckled, swiveling around, staring at her, "I don't love, anyone... Not even my own flesh and blood,"

"And what about the woman, the one from the other night... I see the way you look at her, I saw something in your eyes when you do, something I have never seen when you look at me, you have growing feelings for her... You just don't know it yet,"

"You don't know anything, just stay out of my way, and out of my life," I ambled past her,

"Who will you take?" She squealed, "as your date to your family dinner?"

Stopping in my tracks, I stared at nothing, thinking about it as well, who I am going to carry along, "You were eavesdropping?"

"No, I overheard, but I was wondering if you can take me, it would be the perfect time to tell your family about the baby and—"

"Maria... Even if you were the last woman on earth, I would rather have a rat as my date than you, again I will say... Stay out of my way and out of my life," I stormed out the kitchen,

Climbing the staircase, I pulled my cellphone out of my pocket, staring down at the screen at both Stefanie and Allison's number, "Who will it be?" I asked myself, "Who is going to be my date?"