CEO Leo’s Baby Mama Is Back

Chapter 28 Securing his territory

DS FASHION HOUSE, LOS ANGELES.

Darby stiffened at Zac’s sudden display of affection and her eyes automatically landed on Leo. He had his fist clenched and jaw tightened. It suddenly felt like the time stopped. She blinked rapidly and smiled back at Zac.

“Hey baby, you are back?” Darby said in a shaky breath as she kissed her son. Sinclair danced in excitement. “You both can wait in my office.”

“Oh, Darby I didn’t know you were married.” Chloe said waving at Zac and Sinclair.

Before Darby had the chance to respond, Zac chuckled. “We aren’t married.”

“Oh, okay. I am Chloe by the way and this is my fiancé, Leo.” She introduced.

“Nice to meet you both. I’m Zac.” He replied

“What is the cutie name?” Chloe inquired, patting the little boy’s cheeks.

“Sinclair.” Darby finally found her voice. “Let’s get you changed, Chloe.” She urged.

“I will be in the car.” Leo said as he stood up.

Chloe nodded. “Okay, baby. I will be with you soon. Let’s hurry, Darby. Leo can be a bit impatient when he doesn’t find a space interesting.” She said, raising the dress as she hurried to change.

In less than ten minutes, Darby was back in her office where Zac sat playing with Sinclair. She had a displeased look on her face. “Where is Isabella?” She asked.

“She should be back soon. I asked her to help get something at the nearby mall.” Zac replied.

Leaning into the chair to keep the headache from worsening, Darby groaned. “Did you both meet outside the building?”

Zac hummed in response. “Yes. And you can say whatever it is on your mind.”

He didn’t know what got into him to react in such unexpected manner when he entered the store. But the moment his eyes landed on Leo, he just knew he had to do something. Having known Leo from several research he had carried out after Darby told him they met, it kept him on his toes. To keep them from meeting each other so randomly, he had urged them to leave the mall when he saw Leo coming towards them last Sunday. He wouldn’t have accepted the six months contract in LA, if Leo didn’t make a move on Darby by showing up out of the blue.

Caressing the sides of her head, Darby tried to pick her words carefully. She didn’t want to end up disrespecting Zac. He means too much to her. “Why did you do that?”

He shrugged. “Just because-”

“You don’t act irrationally, Zac. And how did you even think to act like that. What if it wasn’t Leo?”

“But it was Leo.”

“How did you know?”

“I just guessed.” He lied. Even if he didn’t want to do anything, seeing a striking adult pose of Sinclair made his heart clench. “I don’t think you should spend too much time around those people, especially with Sinclair around. The boy looks too much like that man.”

“Do-” Darby got cut short with Sinclair pulling at her hand. Looking down at him with an exhausted expression, she caressed his hair. “What do you want, baby?”

“Water.” Sinclair drawled.

“Give a minute, baby.” She replied, making an attempt to stand up to the fridge but Zac beat her to it and got a bottle water for him to drink. “Thank you.” Darby whispered.

Zac sighed, smiling at Sinclair who had returned his attention to his pile of toys. “I am sorry, Darby. It isn’t in my place to make a decision for you. But I just couldn’t stand you looking so tensed in front of him. It’s the only way I think he would back off.”

Stuck on what to say in response, Darby thinned her lips in form of a smile. “Sure, thanks.”

Sensing the tense state of the room, Zac cleared his throat. “Okay then. I will see you later, I should go rest at the hotel.”

“Alright then, I will talk to you later.” She waved at him.

Isabella walked in a minute later, she pointed her thumb at the door while using her other hand to hug Sinclair who stood in between her legs. “Why did Zac leave?”

Darby smacked her lips. “He said he needed to rest.”

“What about this?” Isabella inquired raising the shopping bags she had in hand. “He had asked me to get some snacks and ice cream from the mall.”

“I don’t know why he changed his mind, Bella.” She sounded exhausted.

Handing one of the snack bars to Sinclair, Isabella sat in the chair Zac stood up from. “What happened? Why do you look so pale?”

Blinking slowly, Darby stretched her neck. “Sinclair’s birth father was here with his fiancée and Zac came in all of sudden acting loved up with me. Why he did that I don’t get it. There was no need for him to, I have nothing to prove to Leo and that is a fact.”

Isabella exhaled. “You do know how Zac feels about you. He won’t stand aside and watch you have a hard time.”

“I think it would be best if he doesn’t interfere this way. He already gave my clients the impression that I am engaged.” Darby whined

Staring at her with a smirk, Isabella wiggled her brows. “What’s so wrong with Zac? He is a good looking man with a perfect body that any woman will die for. And he is fucking rich.” She whispered the curse word to prevent Sinclair from catching up on it. “He also cares for Sinclair. What more do you want?”

Taking a deep breath, Darby closed her eyes. She couldn’t give an apt answer as to why she doesn’t want a close relationship with Zac. Probably because of that long time affection towards a certain someone that keeps holding her back.

“I don’t have such feelings for him, Bella. He deserves someone who would love him just as much as he does.” She said.

“What if you agree and learn to love him as the relationship continues.” Isabella suggested.

Darby looked taken aback. “Is that a thing?”

“Yes, think of it like an arranged marriage.”

“No, I won’t do that.”

“You might eventually, don’t ignore the signs. I need to get to the restroom, please.” She said excusing herself.

Watching her son play, Darby tilted her lips to the side. Leo’s angry image flooded her vision, did he really clench his fist or it was just her mind playing tricks on her? She definitely saw him look livid at Zac’s move. For a brief seconds, her heart fluttered before she reminded herself that he is engaged. As much as she tried to push the thoughts away, a part of her wished things were different. But then, she shouldn’t be too quick to forget how he had slut shamed her without giving her a chance to explain herself.

Even though it was awkward, Zac had done the right thing by letting Leo see for himself that she is off the market. It would be best if the both of them keep their distance as much as they can. But the clause there is, she would be subjected to seeing more of Chloe which means bumping into Leo from time to time. It would be best for her to focus on what is working for her at the moment and not get distracted.

“Why are you so deep in thought?” Isabella tapped the table to call her attention.

Returning to the present, Darby huffed as she didn’t know when Isabella returned. “Oh, you are back.”

Stopping herself from taking a seat, Isabella rounded the table and wrapped her arms around Darby. “It’s okay. You will be fine.” She assured, kissing her hair.

Nodding in agreement, Darby leaned into her and she let the warmth surround her.