A Baby For Billionaire Knox

THEME: Should I apologize?

THE MARTINS EMPIRE

Betty barged into Mrs Elaina Martins office without listening to the words of the secretary telling her to let her get permission from her boss. Secretary Tracy rushed out her words. “Ma’am Elaina.. forgive.. me. I am really sorry. I tried to –”

Mrs Elaina Martins silenced her. “Don’t worry about it. You can go Tracy.” Then secretary Tracy bowed her head slightly before stepping out of the office.

Mrs Elaina Martins looked straight at Betty. “Where are your manners, Betty?” She asked in a low tone.

“Oh! Sorry ma’am Elaina, I lost them the very moment you hired a new worker to work for Knox!” Betty snorted.

Mrs Elaina Martins flashed her a small smile. “Alright please sit down and let us talk things out.” The old lady gestured to Betty to sit on the chair facing her directly.

“No.” Betty declined.

Mrs Elaina Martins raised her eyebrows. “Okay. If you are not going to sit and talk to me politely so why are you here?” She demanded.

“Why did you hire a new worker for Knox even after he made it clear that he doesn’t want anyone?” Betty glared at the old lady.

Mrs Elaina Knox leaned back in the swivel chair. “And did Knox complain to you about not wanting this new worker?” She asked.

“He doesn’t have to tell me.” Betty answered.

“I know Knox won’t tell you such a thing. And why are you concerned about this new worker? From what I can remember Betty, you never cared about them.” Mrs Elaina Martins said.

“Things are different now.” Betty folded her arms across her chest.

“What is –” Mrs Elaina paused. She thought for a second and realization struck her almost immediately. “Oh I see…” The old lady mumbled.

“What do you see?” Betty eyed her suspiciously.

And Mrs Elaina busted into laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Betty asked angrily. Fury crashed over her.

“Are you jealous of the new worker?” Mrs Elaina asked as her laughter still lingered on the surface.

“Jealous?” Betty repeated and let out a snort too.

“Yes, you are jealous that she is beautiful. And you are concerned that she might capture my son’s heart.”

Mrs Elaina expressed her realization which seems to be true.

Betty couldn’t say anything. “How did you find out about her?” Mrs Elaina questioned.

“I won’t tell you. And what do you mean by the new maid capturing your son’s heart?” Betty questioned frantically as her hand dropped to her side.

“Well it is just something you couldn’t achieve for years. But I have a strong feeling that Eretia will do better.” The old lady said with confidence in her tone.

Betty eyes widened in surprise. “What?! But you told me that I was going to marry Knox no matter what and I have been waiting for years now.” She blurted out.

“Betty, I think you got everything wrong. Let me ask you this question, is Knox truly in love with you?” Mrs Elaina asked.

“You said he loves me.” Betty mumbled.

“I said he loves you? Well maybe I assumed that my son loves, you even kissed him on his birthday which made me believe that you guys might have something together. But did you ask Knox about his feelings? Does he love you?” Mrs Elaina asked.

Betty couldn’t give the right answers but one thing was certain, Knox Martins doesn’t love her. And as a matter of fact, he doesn’t believe in love.

Tears welled up in her eyes. “Why are you doing this to me? I wanted to give up on him but you begged me not to –”

The old lady interrupted her. “You are wrong, Betty. Have you forgotten the deal?”

“What deal?” Betty asked with a furrowed eyebrows.

“Deal of making Knox fall in love with you. I told you that if you succeed then I won’t oppose your marriage to him. And you also promised to help me talk to him in return. You promised to bring us back together but what happened? You failed at everything, Betty.” Mrs Elaina Martins stood up from the chair.

“I still kept working on your career. I didn’t give up on you hoping that someday you would win his heart and help reunite us. But you were only concerned about your love for him that you neglected your promises to me and my emotions of wanting to be close to my son again.” She said with a serious look on her face. But her voice was so calm as usual.

“I can’t believe this..” Betty muttered.

“The terms in the deal was so clear but you failed from the very beginning.” Mrs Elaina Martins sounded so resigned.

“So you think she can win his heart?” Betty asked as she reached out to wipe the single tear that has strayed down her cheeks.

“My deal with Eretia is not about winning Knox heart. It is about reconciling me with my son and.. maybe to also show him what loves means. And I really hope that Knox will experience a true love that comes from the heart and without pretense.” The old lady let out a sigh.

More tears streamed down Betty’s eyes.

“Should I apologize to you?” Mrs Elaina Martins asked.

They heard a knock on the door before Betty could give her response.

“Come in.” Mrs Elaina Martins said.

She expected to see Tracy but Knox walked in.

Knox furrowed his eyebrows when he saw Betty. “Good afternoon, old lady.” He greeted.

Mrs Elaina Martins stood up from the chair and went to her son. “Oh son! How are you doing?” She asked.

“I am fine.” He replied with no smile on his face

Betty Lawson wiped her face while Mrs Elaina shook her head and went back to the swivel chair.

“When did you get here?” Knox asked Betty.

“Not quite long.” Betty mumbled.

“Wait.. Betty was at your office right?” Mrs Elaina Martins asked.

“Yes.” Knox replied.

Of course that’s how Betty found out about the new worker at Knox’s home. Knox dropped a brown envelope on the table.

“What -”

He interrupted his mom’s words “The payment of the clothes I bought at the mall. The lady at the desk refused it.”

“I gave the order son. I told them not to take a penny for everything you bought.” Mrs Elaina Martins replied.

Knox shook his head in disagreement. “I am working so hard to grow my agency.”

“Listen son, you don’t have to work so hard. I have enough money and I want to help you.” Mrs Elaina said seriously.

“No, I don’t need your money and the help you can offer to me. The mall is a business so I should for pay everything I bought.” He tapped on the brown envelope and passed it to his mom.

“Yes I know it is a business but you seem to have forgotten that it is all yours.” Mrs Elaina Martins countered.

Knox shook his head. He knew right from time that it won’t be easy convincing his mom to take the money. “How on earth did you find out I was at the mall?”

“Eretia told me when I called this morning.” Mrs Elaina replied.

“She did?” Knox raised his eyebrows.

Betty felt left out in the conversation but she was clearly listening to them.

“Yes.. and are you getting along well?” Mrs Elaina questioned.

“Why do you want to know?” Knox tucked his hands into his pocket.

“I am just curious. I am a bit surprise that you didn’t call me the first day she showed up at your doorstep and up till now.” Mrs Elaina Martin replied with a shrug.

“I am kicking her out of my house very soon.” Knox spat.

“Come on son, don’t be too harsh on the poor lady. She is just trying to make a living.” Mrs Elaina Martins sat back on the chair.

“Well I might pity her. But you have to accept this money and I’ll let her stay.” Knox stated.

The old lady looked up at her son and she reached out for the envelope immediately.

“Well.. I plan to pay double of the money you offered her and more by the end of the week.” Knox informed her trying to prove to his mom that he might have possibly tricked her to believing that he would let the new worker stay at his place.

“She won’t accept it. Eretia is so much different from the other women I have hired, Knox.” The old lady seemed to have so much confidence in Eretia which made Betty envious.

Betty could tell something wasn’t right. The Knox Martins she knew wouldn’t bargain with his mom when it comes to stuffs like this. He has always hated the women hired to work for him but this is different. He seemed calm about this new worker.

And without thinking Betty blurted out. “Are you in love with your maid?”

Knox turned to look at her with a scrunched up face. “What makes you think I am in love with her?” He asked.

“You don’t like people invading your privacy. You don’t like sharing your things with people. So how come you are so calm about this new maid? She should be out of your place by now.” Betty responded.

“She is my personal assistant.” Knox corrected.

“Oh that’s trash. She is just a maid! And calling a maid your personal assistant is way out of your style.”

Betty spat.

“I hired her to do both jobs.” Mrs Elaina said.

Betty looked straight at the old lady. “Whatever! Have a nice time with your trashy maid!” She carried her bag and made her way to the door.

Anger crashed over Knox and he clenched his fists. He decided to defend the maid. “She is not a trash. Her name is Eretia and she is worth more than you are, Betty Lawson.”

Mrs Elaina gasped in shock. She didn’t expect those words from her son.

“What?!” Betty jaw dropped and she turned to look at him.

Mrs Elaina got out of the chair immediately and went to him. “Knox–”

“Have I said anything wrong?” His frown deepened. Knox hated the fact that Betty looked down on Eretia.

“Listen Knox–” He jerked free from his mom’s grip.

“I have to stop this nonsense now. Don’t let us pretend to her anymore.” Knox looked at Betty.

“What are you talking about?” Betty asked with a confused look on her face.

Knox went to where she stood. “I don’t love you, Betty and I never did. And like I said before I also can’t love you.” When he figured that Betty couldn’t put her words together due to shock from his words and then he walked out of the office.

Betty was furious. “I can’t take this anymore.” She gritted and looked at the old lady. “You will pay for humiliating me like this, Mrs Elaina Martins.” She grounded out and stormed out of the office.

Betty Lawson made a promise to herself that she would make both mother and son pay for causing her pain. She won’t let things go just like that.

“No one hurts Betty and gets away with it.” She grimaced.