Love, Lies and Billionaires

“What were you thinking? How could you say a thing like that? Don’t you know words like that could lead to…”

“Mom, could you just be quiet for one minute!” Maren screamed. Her brows were furrowed with confusion. “You think I don’t know the gravity of what I said? I was frustrated and angry and…and he pushed me to the wall that I just had to say it, alright?”

Mrs Sharppe just stood stunned and paranoid as she watched her daughter run her fingers through her hair, her thoughts falling into each other as seconds passed.

What did Alexander say about all of this?”

“They’re rivals for a reason, mom. William has as much power as Alexander does. If Alexander interferes, it’ll only be more trouble.” Maren said, “God, we’re toast,” she lamented. Her voice shaking, her hands were slightly trembling.

Her mom noticed and held her hands quick enough to stop her from pulling her hair. She held her hands and sat on a chair beside her. “How long did he give us?”

“I don’t know. He said he’ll take it to court if I don’t do a DNA test,” she said as a tear dropped from her eyes. “He’s going to take my son one way or another, mom…”

Mrs Sharppe pulled her daughter close and placed her head on her chest as tears cascaded down her cheeks.

“It’s alright, no one is taking Nathan away,” she said, trying to believe her own words.

“What are we going to do, mom?”

There really was nothing they could do, and both of them knew it. Whan Alexander had intervened during their argument, it had led to nowhere as William seemed to have the upper hand against both of them.

It was hopeless fighting him and if they went to court, there was a probability that William would win and when it gets legal, it wouldn’t end well and the DNA test comes out that he was the father… either way, they were fucked.

“We’ll take the DNA test,” Mrs Sharppe said confidently.

Maren raised her head slowly, her eyes now red and wet. “What?”

*****

A client sat in front of her in her office as she scribbled some things on a piece of paper, hoping he hadn’t noticed the bags beneath her eyes, which was really obvious by this time.

She finally raised her head and handed him the folded paper before turning back to her computer.

“Excuse me, you spelt the CEO’s name wrong”

“What?” She asked, looking away from the computer to the paper the man raised for her to see. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” she apologised and trashed the paper before writing another one.

“Ma’am, are you okay?” He asked, concern written in his tone.

“Oh, I’m fine, just haven’t been getting enough sleep,” she replied with a straight voice. She cross checked the writing before handing it to him.

“Alright then, I’ll be on my way,” he said as he stood up and left.

“Oh my god, Maren. Tell me it isn’t true,” Nella queried as she rushed in, slightly brushing the man who had gotten to the door before her, which startled him.

“Tell you what isn’t true?” She asked, startled and confused.

“Don’t try to hide it, Maren. Your mom already told me,” Nella said, settling herself on the chair and focusing her gaze on her friend.

“Oh fuck. My mom is such a snitch.” She ran her hand through her hair and avoided Nella’s eyes.

“Well, she’s trying to look out for you,” she said and edged closer to the table. “How did this happen, Maren? I thought you said he wasn’t serious about this?”

“Believe me, I’m as confused as you are.” She sniffed like someone who’s on drugs. “I don’t want anyone to take away my son”

“What about the test result? Has it arrived?”

“It’s no use Nell. He’s going to take him, he’s going to take Nathan away.” She was now running her hands harder and tugging at her hair. “William is going to take him. He’ll maltreat him, he’ll abandon him. Possibly kill…”

Nella went in quickly and pulled Maren’s hand from her hair. “Hey, hey stop, stop it” she clenched her hands. “Hey look at me,” Nella said and Maren slowly looked up. She looked so terrible and worn out, and dark circles were beginning to form around her eyes.

“God, you look more terrible by the second.”

“No, I don’t”

Nella rolled her eyeballs. “Look, you can’t be doing this to yourself. You need to be strong. Nathan needs you to be strong. You can’t fight William if you’re looking like a drink all day”

“I just need him to let my son be, Nella* she grumbled and pulled away from Nella’s grip. She stood up and walked over to a little table in a corner of the office.

Nella watched her as she pulled out one of its drawers and room out a small tube of pills and popped an uncertain amount into her mouth before washing it down with a glass of wine.

“What are those for?”

“It doesn’t matter, Nella. I’m fine,” she said and proceeded to pour another glass. “Drink?” She asked drowsily, but Nella just stared at her, at a loss of what to do. “I’ll take that as a no then,” she concluded and downed the paltry amount she had poured.

“And what’s Alexander saying about all of this?”

Maren scoffed- like a drunk. “He’s so useless in all of this. William is Nathan’s father, legally. If this goes to court, one way or another, William is going to win the case. I really don’t know where Alexander can step in in all of this”

“We can’t lose hope yet Maren.” She stood up and walked up to where she stood. “It hasn’t been proven that he’s Nathan’s father yet” her voice was low and unsettling.

Maren turned to her, a glint of light in her eyes. “What are you driving at?”

“I mean, you…”

A knock at the door got both their attention. “Come in,” Maren answered, bringing the glass close to her lips.

Louise walked in, bearing an envelope. “Ma’am I’ve got the…”

Maren hurriedly dropped the glass back on the table and walked to her, followed by Nella. “Is that the test result?”