CEO Leo’s Baby Mama Is Back

Chapter 19 A paying purse

DS FASHION HOUSE, LOS ANGELES

Sighing in satisfaction at the finished work that graced the mannequin, Darby gave herself a round of applause in delight. She and her assistant have been working hard for long hours to finish the order on time and they made it.

“Thanks for the good work, Irene.” Darby said to her assistant. “You can take a break, I think it would be best we take the rest of the day off. It’s just an hour to our usual closing time. Thanks for being so reliable.”

Irene smiled shyly. “Thanks, ma’am. It’s always a delight working with you.”

Nodding her head with a smile, Darby stretched her neck to ease the cramps in it as she walked towards the receptionist. “How are you, Jenna?”

“Very good, ma’am. Do you need me to get you anything?” She asked.

“No, I just want to ask if you have gotten any response as regards the assistant job application.”

Jenna stood up, picked up her tab and stepped away from her table to show Darby some of the candidates. “Actually we have had a good number turning up, I wanted you to be a bit free before I get to show it to you. When should we invite them in for an interview?”

“Make it Wednesday, also keep my schedule free for it so I can have just about enough time to attend to them.” Darby said. Just as she made an attempt to return to the fitting area, she heard her name.

“Darby?”

Turning back to see who it is, a snort escaped Darby’s nose and a look of shock appeared but it left almost immediately. “What are you doing here?”

Emma smiled awkwardly. “I thought to come say hello to you now that you are back in LA.”

Scoffing in disbelief, she folded her arms. There was no need to ask how Emma found her. Darby feels a bit regretful about the exposure FORBES magazine gave her, at the same time it isn’t such a bad thing for her awful family to know just how far she has gone.

“Now that you have seen me, I guess that is enough pleasantry exchange. See yourself to the door.” Darby said coldly.

“Please, Darby. I just want to explain myself to you. Ten minutes is all I need, you can toss me out after that. Please.” Emma pleaded.

“Since when did you become this shameless? Why exactly do you want to see me? Okay…” She clapped her hands. “Let me hear what you have to say then, I am all ears.”

Emma looked towards Jenna, gulping hard. “Alone, please.”

Exhaling, Darby turned to Jenna. “Excuse us for a moment, please.”

Jenna looked uncertain. “Are you sure ma’am?”

“Sure, the CCTV is working perfectly. You would know if something is up. I will let you know when we are done.”

“Alright, ma’am.” She replied, walking into the fitting space.

“Your worker seem diligent.” Her mother noted, holding up a weak smile.

Darby’s face looked blank. “Your ten minutes started sixty seconds ago, you might like to be hasty please.”

Emma felt her legs stay glued to the floor, she was beginning to regret her decision to come here. But it felt like her only means of escape and also to rid herself of the guilt that had plagued her for years. Noah’s eyes was all over her as she left the house. He seems excited that she was doing as he had instructed her to.

“My legs aren’t as strong as before, please let’s take a seat.” She suggested.

Staring down at her, Darby let out a tired sigh. She pointed at the table and chair installed for sitting by the reception. Emma hurried off towards a table before her legs give way and embarrass her.

“I won’t waste your time, Darby. I know you don’t want to see or talk to me. But I must say, I owe you a lot of explanation.”

Biting on her lips, Darby tried to keep her emotions from showing. She didn’t think the woman she had begged to love her for years would have the guts to show her face. The memories of her time in the house came rushing back to her and a gush of tears stung the corner of her eyes. Painful memories are very hard to erase.

“Why do you think whatever you tell me will change anything?” Darby questioned. “I wanted answers years ago, answers to why you as a mother would treat me so shabbily and make my life so hard. I wondered if you truly birthed me. When you asked that I abort my pregnancy, it dawned on me that you truly aren’t deserving of respect as my mother. You aren’t my mother, Emma. I just need you to be aware of my resolution. I am only giving you this space as a form of courtesy for not throwing me out on the streets. This is the only chance you will get at talking to me ever again.”

A single tear rolled down Emma’s face. ” don’t think there is anything I can say to change your mind. I just need you to know that, I was an helpless nineteen year old that got saved by your father from a terrifying life. I relied on him for everything I would do for the rest of my life. Because of how constant he was away, and his refusal to let me stay close to him so it made me long for companionship. We had been married for four years before I indulged in a drunken one night stand with a stranger. I had argued over the phone with Noah that evening, complaining of his absence and he told me if I wanted some dick so bad, I should pick one from the streets. He meant it literally, but somehow I found myself in a strange bed the next morning.”

Darby let out a shaky breath. “Alright. So, I am actually an unexpected and unwanted fruit. That’s just amazing.” She said sarcastically.

“I’m sorry, Darby. Being naive I didn’t think it was necessary to visit the hospital and get cleaned. I thought I calculated my ovulation period right. To my horror I discovered the pregnancy a month later and Noah’s return definitely didn’t match the time of the pregnancy. I tried to get rid of you, but the doctors warned of a health complication if I embarked on it. I felt ousted from my husband. I had been waiting for so long to be with him, but your arrival put a distance between us. You see I was madly obsessed with Noah and I didn’t mind going extra length to please him. Which was why I made a promise to never be affectionate towards you, if that is what it would take to have Noah back.” She chuckled dryly. “I realize how foolish I was then. He isn’t even good enough to be faithful to.”

“So what do you want me to do with all of this information now? Don’t you think it’s too late for all of this? Moreover…” Darby checked her wristwatch standing up. “Your time is up. You can leave now.”

She nodded. “Pease, Darby. I need your help to escape the hellhole I am living. Please, I am ready to enslave myself to you as long as you forgive me. Noah will do everything to make you become his paying purse. He is a total wreck at the moment and desperate.”

Darby furrowed her brows in annoyance. “Please get out, I don’t want to see your face here ever again.”

Emma searched through her bag vigorously for a paper and pen and she scribbled some numbers down. “I know you are kindhearted, Darby. Please give me a call when you have a change of heart. Please help me. I know this is shameless, but please help me.” She begged.

Eyeing the paper in distaste, Darby looked back at her mother. “Leave now!” She ordered.

Sobbing quietly, Emma made her way out. Jenna who had been watching the entire exchange returned.

“Is everything okay, ma’am?” She asked.

Darby nodded, kissing her teeth. “My evening just went down the drain. Let’s wrap it up for the day.” She said heading inside.

Jenna walked towards the table taking a deep breath, she picked up the paper and squeezed it out.