Isla
I couldn't help but feel thrilled when Arden called, and even more so when he asked me out for a drink. Initially, I thought we won't see each other anymore, but now I was eager to spend more time with him.
I texted him the address of a pub I'd been wanting to try, hoping it would be the perfect spot to create some nostalgic moments. As I rummaged through my wardrobe, I realized I didn't have anything suitable to wear. My clothes were either baggy or work attire – definitely not the kind of outfit I wanted to wear on a night out with Arden.
Images of him flashed through my mind – handsome, kind, and genuinely nice. He was exactly the kind of guy I'd always wanted to meet. I was curious to learn more about him, but a part of me couldn't help but wonder: what if he didn't feel the same way? What if he'd only asked me out as a polite gesture?
I pushed those thoughts aside, deciding to focus on the excitement of the evening instead. I was going to enjoy this moment, no matter what.
Anna emerged from the bathroom, towel-drying her hair. We shared a small room, and I was rummaging through my closet. "What's going on, sissy?" Anna asked, curiosity etched on her face.
"I'm looking for a pretty dress," I replied, frustration creeping into my voice.
Anna's eyes sparkled with interest. "A pretty dress? What's the special occasion?"
I tried to downplay the situation. "Just grabbing a drink with a friend."
Anna's gaze lingered on me, her expression teasing. "And you've got that look on your face... Male or female friend?"
I attempted to brush her off. "Anna, not now."
But she persisted, her tone playful. "It's a harmless question... unless you're hiding something."
I shot her a warning glance, but Anna just grinned, sensing she'd struck a nerve.
"Can you just let me be?" I asked, trying to shoo Anna away.
"Alright," she said, turning to leave. But then she spun back around, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Or..."
I raised an eyebrow, sensing trouble. "Anna!"
"You can give me all the juicy details, and I'll help you find the perfect dress," she offered, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
I hesitated, but Anna's enthusiasm was infectious. "Really?"
She nodded. "Yep. It's up to you, though."
I never thought to ask Anna for fashion advice, but now I was curious. "Show me what you've got."
Anna skipped over to the dressing table, pulled out a bag from the last drawer, and extracted a stunning gown. "Ta-da!" she exclaimed, waving the dress in front of me.
I reached out to take it, but Anna snatched it back. "Not so fast, princess."
I rolled my eyes, laughing. "It's just a drink with a friend."
Anna raised an eyebrow. "A guy, right?"
I nodded, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. "Yeah."
"I knew it!" Anna exclaimed. "You've had a boyfriend all along and never told me."
"He's not my boyfriend," I protested.
Flushing at the thought of him being my boyfriend.
Anna grinned. "Look at that flush! Are you sure he isn't?"
I sighed, exasperated. "Anna."
"Okay, okay. So, Isla is finally going on a date."
I hadn't thought of it as a date, but now that Anna mentioned it....
"Is he cute?" Anna asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
I couldn't help but smile. "Well... yes."
"I see," Anna said, nodding. "I hope he's a good guy. Tell him you have a sister who won't spare him if he hurts you."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Jeez, Anna. You're too much."
"We're just friends," I added, trying to downplay the situation.
Anna grinned. "Either way, it's a date. I should help you get ready."
Rex
Nicole watched me dress, her eyes narrowing. "So, you're really leaving?"
"I already told you," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral.
Nicole's voice took on a hint of accusation. "We never spend time together. Just sex, and now you're running off again."
I shot her a sarcastic glance. "What did we just do, exactly?"
Nicole's expression turned sulky. "That's not the point. When was the last time we had a real conversation or did something fun together like a normal couple?"
I bit back my frustration, annoyed by her clingy behavior. "Look, Nicole, you should get dressed and leave. I'm not sure I'll be back here tonight."
Nicole's eyes widened in surprise. "Seriously?"
I nodded curtly. "Hurry up."
With that, I turned and walked out of the room, leaving Nicole behind.
I instructed the security guard to lock the villa's main door once Nicole left. With that taken care of, I departed and drove to my parents' house. I had more pressing concerns than Nicole's complaints about our lack of quality time.
As I arrived at the family house, my mom appeared, her expression stern. "Let's go in," she said, her voice firm and commanding.
We walked to my father's study, where my mom inquired about his whereabouts. "Where is your father?" she asked one of the helpers.
"The President is in his room, sleeping," the helper replied. The staff always addressed my dad with his formal title.
My mom and I proceeded to his room, where we found Jonathan, his personal assistant, standing guard outside the door. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but he said no one should be allowed in," Jonathan explained.
My mom's expression turned icy. "Get out of my way, Jonathan."
Just then, my dad's voice boomed from within the room. "It's okay, let her in."
My mom shot Jonathan a withering glance before we entered the room.
Dad sat on the bed, his glasses perched on the end of his nose. Mom dropped her bag onto the king-sized bed and began, "I've had a long day with the mayor's wife, so spare me the drama and just answer my question."
Dad looked up, his expression cautious. "What's going on, Pamela?"
Mom's eyes narrowed. "Did your former secretary, Grace come to this house today?"
Dad's sigh was all the confirmation Mom needed. "I'll take that as a yes. She really did show up after I warned her."
Dad's expression turned defensive. "Pamela, so it's true you threatened to kill her? You knew about our relationship and pretended you didn't. I'm sorry, but you shouldn't have—"
Mom's face reddened with rage. "How dare you, Hughie? How fucking dare you? You're forgetting I made you!"
Dad's voice rose in anger. "That's it, Pamela! Enough! You always throw that in my face, but let's get one thing straight: your late father's connections may have helped, but I worked incredibly hard for everything I've achieved today."
"The truth remains, without me, you'd still be a mediocre businessman," Mom spat, her voice venomous. "And yet, you have the audacity to cheat on me, and I cleaned up your mess because I love this family. But not anymore. You brought your old mistress into our home. How dare you?"
Dad attempted to defend himself. "That's not how it happened."
Mom's laughter was cold. "Oh, really? Then how? Is Grace better than me? You humiliated me by cheating on me with that...that low life. But I let it slide..."
Dad's expression turned bitter. "Maybe you shouldn't have."
Mom's eyes flashed. "What?"
Dad continued, "Maybe you shouldn't have harbored all this hate inside you..."
I watched the exchange, feeling frustrated. This was all about something that happened twenty-five years ago. The real issue was the son Dad had with his mistress.
I interrupted, hoping to steer the conversation back on track. "He even had a son with her."
The room fell silent, the tension palpable.
Mom's hysterical laughter caught Dad and me off guard. "Really, Rex? You believe her?" she taunted.
"I know her type," she sneered. "She's a gold-digger who'll do anything to latch onto wealth. A son? Please, that's just a ploy to get her claws into your dad again."
"Maybe he's her son," I interjected, "but you can't rule out the possibility that he's Dad's son too. You just admitted they had an affair in the past."
Mom's expression turned icy. "Your father wouldn't be foolish enough to get her pregnant. Or are you?" She turned to Dad, who ignored her and sat down, his face pale.
I pressed on, "But Mom, he looks—"
Mom cut me off, her voice firm. "That's enough, Rex. You are your father's only child."
She turned to Dad, her eyes blazing. "Listen carefully, Hughie Norman. Don't even think about running back to your mistress. You're older now, so act wiser. I won't tolerate any more infidelity. And as for Grace, she'd better stay far away. This time, she might not be so lucky."
With that, Mom stormed out of the room, leaving an unsettling silence in her wake.
Mom's outburst left me shaken. I had no doubt she would follow through on her threats. But what puzzled me was her refusal to acknowledge the possibility of an illegitimate child. Was she in denial, unable to accept the truth?
Dad's voice broke the silence, calm and collected. "Jonathan, come in here."
His PA entered, bowing slightly. "Yes, President?"
Dad dropped a photo onto the bedside table. I took a close look at it, my heart racing. It was Arden. I assumed Grace must have given it to Dad during her visit.
Dad's expression was resolute. "Find me Arden Davis. And get the doctor ready for a DNA test."
Jonathan nodded. "Yes, sir."
As Jonathan exited, I was left stunned. What was going through Dad's mind? Had Mom's words triggered this sudden decision? I was too stunned to speak.