"I think you should go in the red gown. It looks better than all the others."
It's been about three weeks since I and Michael have moved in permanently into the Ducal manor, Michael has been so happy having a father figure and Harry loved nothing more than to play with Michael and indulge his every whim. It has become quite serious that he takes Michael to work with him and even to the House of Lords.
And it warms my heart to no end that I was able to give him such happiness at this stage of his life.
As for my house, all my furniture was sold and the extremely valuable things shipped to me here in England, and the house was rented out. All the money came into my account and I also got the documents, he also got me a manager in the States to look after my investments. He was the best.
Harry wanted to show me off, those were his exact words and that's why I'm sitting in my room- that looks like a house in a house- and having my hair pulled in different directions while I try my best to decide on what gown to wear. I love expensive clothes and I had my fair share but this was crazy and when I complained to Harry about it, all he had to say was '... only the best for you my darling..."
I finally settled on the red gown. It was a floor-length red gown with a sweetheart neckline, a plunging back, and a slit that stopped a few inches from my hips. The slit didn't exactly show if I stood still but it did when I walked.
It was almost time for me to come down, I could hear the guests chatter downstairs. I looked at myself in the mirror and I sort of looked like a high budget debutante. Not that I mind. It feels really good to be spoiled rotten, he bought me a Ferrari Aventador just last week and I've been cruising London the whole of last week.
A knock sounded at the door and after a quick 'come in', the door opened and admitted Harry and Michae. They both looked good but my baby looked so damn cute in his little tux and bow tie.
"Hello, Mommy."
"Sweetheart."
"You look, pweedy Mommy"
"Thank you, love. You look like a little angel."
He blushed and then his face turned serious.
"But I, your little angel, wight?"
I and Harry laughed, this kid was going to be the death of us both.
"Yes, honey. There's none other."
"Okay."
He went over to the bed with his iPad and made himself comfortable.
Harry brought out a jewelry box from his pocket and opened it up, my mouth fell open and stayed open as he pulled out a double string pure diamond choker with a pendant.
"Oh my God, Grandpa. I can't possibly accept this... it's too much."
"It was Savannah's, she had wanted to give this to your mother but we all know what happened and I'm sure that she would have wanted you to have it more than anyone else."
I smiled at Harry, now that I know he didn't buy me yet another expensive diamond necklace, I could most definitely put it on. I turned around and let him put the necklace on my neck, It was a touching moment and we didn't want it to end. It did anyway when his butler came to tell us that our guests were patiently awaiting our arrival. I lifted Michael on my hip as Harry held out his elbow for me.
"Shall we?"
"Yes, we definitely shall."
As we got to the beginning of the stairs, we waited as his butler announced our arrival.
"Lord Harry Weatherstone, Lady Amanda Brown and her son Lord Michael Brown."
"Did he just call me a Lady?"
"Yes, you're the daughter of a duke. That's exactly what you are. Now shush and smile."
I did as I was told and as we got to the bottom of the stairs, we were surrounded by so many people asking about this and about that. I was getting overwhelmed but then Harry pulled me away from the throng for pictures and then began introducing me to people.
All in all, it was a fun night, the dinner was amazing, the people were great although some people were looking at me as though I stole their favorite shoe, and Michael was loved by everyone. Who wouldn't love him, he was simply the cutest.
I was beginning to make my way upstairs when Harry reached out to me.
"Come on, there is someone I want you to meet."
"But I'm tired, Grandpa."
"I know dear, just this one and you can go to bed."
He took Michael from me as we made our way to our mystery guest.
"Aha, there he is. Anthony, how's business?"
This 'Anthony' turned around and all color left my face. Anthony was Tony.
Tony as in my
fling.
Tony, Michael's father.
"Harry, it feels good to see you again. And you too, Amanda. You look better than the last time we met."
Harry looked from me to Tony and then back.
"You two know each other?"
"Yes, we do. Tell him, Amanda."
Who, me?!
I quickly took Michael from Harry and ran up the stairs, once I got there, I made sure I secured all the locksafter dropping Michael on my bed.
"You okay, Mommy?"
"Yes baby, Mommy just saw someone she wasn't expecting, that's all."
He nodded and lay down on my bed, that's a sign that he'd be out like a light soon, and not even water would wake him up.
"Come on, let's go give you a bath."
He stretched his hand out to me and I carried him to the bathroom. After taking care of him and laying him down in his cot, I had a bath and changed into my nightwear but as I lay in bed, I couldn't sleep, all I could think about was Tony.
Would he want to take Michael from me?
There was no way he didn't know that was his son, even at just two years old Michael looked a lot like his father. Would he even want him at all?
A knock sounded on my door, I stood up to open it up for Harry to come in. The time had come, there was no avoiding it now. I had to tell him.
He took a seat on the loveseat sofa in my room, I took a deep breath and joined him. We kept silent for a little while.
"Well, on with it."
"Tony... Anthony is Michael's father."
"I figured as much. What exactly happened?"
"Well, we weren't dating. It was just a one night stand that didn't end very well."
I looked at Harry and his face was neutral, the last thing I wanted was to disappoint him after my mother already did the honors.
He nodded his head and then he crossed his legs.
"Does he know?"
"No."
"You know you're going to have to tell him. It's not fair to him and it's not fair to Michael."
I nodded my head slowly.
"I know but Michael isn't asking about his father just yet."
"He's not now but he will soon, why don't you just do it now. Let him know what it feels like to have his father growing up."
"Okay, I'll try."
"That's what I wanted to hear. Now in the spirit of trying, I invited him to breakfast tomorrow. Gear up."
And with that Harry was gone, leaving me to my treacherous thoughts. I could do this, if he tried anything funny like ask for full custody, I knew I had Harry's power backing me up.
Everything was going to be just fine.
...
"I can do this..."
I had repeated that statement about a billion times this morning and each time I promised myself that it would be the last time. Tony was downstairs with Michael and Harry, I could hear his excited chatter and laughter as he spoke to them.
I guess I could never actually be ready for this, this was a now or never situation. I squared and shoulders and made my way out of my room and to the dining room. Michael sat in Tony's lap as he went on about some cute girl in his school and how everyone here spoke funny.
"Mommy here!!! Hey Mommy!!!"
"Hi, did you sleep well?"
"Yeah. Mommy, he said he my daddy. Is it true?"
That was direct. Just who did this guy think he was.
"I'm not sure yet honey. He might not be."
Thankfully he was content with that answer and didn't know any biology.
"Good morning Grandpa. Tony."
"Good morning Amanda. How was your night?"
I made it very clear that I was intent on being a grade-A bitch, after all, that's what is expected from a whore.
"I need to get going, Amanda. The house of Lords awaits."
I looked at Harry in shock, I could see that he was doing this on purpose. He picked up Michael from Tony.
"You're taking Michael to the house of Lords?"
"Of course I am."
"Where exactly do you keep him?".
"Let's just say I have things under control."
And with that my precious grandfather was out the door with his great-grandson in tow.
"So, are you going to ignore me now?"
"What do you want Tony?"
"I want my son?"
"Excuse me?"
"You're not excused. Why didn't you tell me I had a son?"
"That's not how one night stands work and if I remember correctly, you called me a whore and chased me from your bed. Now I don't think you would have believed me if I had told you I was pregnant with your child."
"I want to be a part of my son's life."
"That remains to be decided."
"Listen, Amanda, we could do this the easy way or the hard way, either way, is fine by me."
"What is the easy way?"
"You letting me see my son whenever I want to see him and also taking him out when I want to."
I scoffed like it was that easy.
"And the hard way?"
"You not letting me see my son and then I drag you through the courts and we both know I'd win."
"You seem to forget who's granddaughter I am. Do I need to remind you?"
"No. But when you own several companies that employ a whole forty percent of the youthful population, you get to be given consideration. Now do you want to go to war or not?"
Did I want to go to war?
He was a powerful man, even Harry had hinted at it at some point. I had Harry's support but I didn't want Harry or Michael to go through that. The publicity won't be good for Harry, all he wants is to live his last days in peace and I don't think cameras flashing can be defined as peaceful.
"Fine but this will happen on my terms."
"That depends on how favorable your terms are."
"You see Michael only when I'm present, you buy him stuff after you check it with me. And as for trips and vacations, we'll just have to see about that."
"Okay, sounds good except for one. I'll buy him what I see appropriate, you're not my mother, and speaking of mothers, I want you both to meet my family."
Okay, say what now?!
"Why in God's name would you want to do something so stupid?!"
"Because I want them to meet my son"
"Oh, so you also want to introduce them to the WHORE who birthed him"
"You're not a whore, you're Harry's granddaughter."
"That's not what you were calling me two years ago!"
"What would you have wanted me to do? Drop to my knee and pop the question? With the way you were partying at the club, I'm sure everyone thought you were a very available whore!!!"
Okay, that hurt. I don't think EVERYONE thought so. He is a bully and he was acting it out.
I am not a whore, no one thinks I am.
"Enjoy your breakfast and when you're done, see yourself out the door."
And with that, I stood up walked back to my room without sparing him a second glance.