The clause
Chapter 33 The Clause
ROBINS MOTORS COMPANY, LOS ANGELES.
It took Darby a long while after staring hard at the tall building to realize it wouldn’t be so easy to meet with the CEO of such prestigious company. Sighing in frustration, she knew it would be foolish for her to turn back after driving for such long minutes while enduring LA’s lunch traffic. Taking a deep breath, she walked in squaring her shoulders. She approached a guard and asked where the CEO’s floor was and he responded politely to her surprise. Getting into the elevator, she pressed the button for the thirteenth floor, anxiety gripped at Darby’s body and she hoped fervently that she wouldn’t regret not waiting for Leo to get back to her himself. At the same time it’s about her son and she needs to let Leo know that he can’t mess around with her boy.
The elevator bell dinged notifying her of her destination, stepping into the floor Darby felt clueless on what to do or where to go. Different people kept moving back and forth. Summoning courage she approached a young man probably a year younger than she was, he looked disheveled and his glass looked slanted. She felt pity towards him, wondering how much work he is burdened with for him to look so detached.
“I am so sorry to bother you sir. But do you mind pointing me to the CEO’s office?” Darby said with a small smile on her lips.
Kingston gave her a once over, he has never seen her around the place before. Also she looks sophisticated and might be one of his boss’s acquaintances. “Do you have an appointment with him?”
“No, but if you can direct me to his office I am sure he wouldn’t mind seeing me.” She responded.
Flexing his shoulder, Kingston steadied his glass and stared straight at her. “I am his secretary and he didn’t tell me anyone would be coming to see him. So, I would have to let him know who you are first before showing you the way to his office.”
“Oh, nice to meet you sir. Please kindly inform him that Darby is here to see him.”
“Just Darby?”
“Yes, just Darby.” She replied.
“Alright, give me a minute.” Kingston said as he headed towards Leo’s office. Knocking on the door gently, he opened the door. “Sir?”
“What Kingston?” Leo sounded bored as he stared hopelessly at the computer screen.
“I know this isn’t our usual way of operation. But there is a lady out here asking to see you, says her name is Darby.”
Leo’s ears perked as he raised his head sharply. “Are you being serious? Darby is here?”
“I see she is quite familiar.” Kingston mumbled.
“Let her in!” He ordered sounding a bit too excited.
Leo couldn’t believe his ears, adjusting his suit and hair to avoid looking troubled. He waited expectantly as he left his table to sit on the couch. It took every bit of self control within him to not rush out to welcome her. His breath hitched when the door opened and Darby in her full elegance walked in. His hand dismissed Kingston the moment she stepped in. Standing up, he swallowed and cleared his throat at the same time.
“Hi, Darby. I didn’t think you would come here to find me. It’s so good to see you.” Leo blurted, giving his anxious state away.
Darby held a blank expression, even though her heart was practically thumping hard. She had a mixed feeling on why Leo has so much effect on her despite the long time they have been apart. Reminding her treacherous heart that he is taken and that they can never be together, it seemed to go back to normal.
“Sorry for barging in on you like this. I just thought it would be important to discuss with you as soon as I made my decision. Also, I didn’t have your contact and had to search for your company address online.” She explained.
“I am so sorry you had to go through such stress. It’s my fault for not giving you my contact knowing you would need to reach out to me. Please sit, what would you like to have?” His legs were practically melting as he stood trying to compose himself.
“No need to offer me anything. I won’t take long here. Thank you.” Darby replied taking a seat.
Leo rubbed his hands together waiting for her to speak, but she kept mute and stared at her watch. “So, is this about what we discussed?”
Raising her head slowly, she nodded. “Yes, it is. I have thought long and hard on it, while sifting through the advices I was given. If it were up to me, Leo, I wouldn’t let you anywhere near my son.” She said the statement while glaring hard at him. “Because you weren’t there when I needed you the most to support me. But it’s all in the past now. My pain shouldn’t be enough reason to deprive Sinclair the chance to meet his father. I just need you to assure me that you would be a true father to my son.”
Leo shifted to the edge of the couch, still clasping his hand together. “I promise you, Darby. I won’t disappoint you. And I am so sorry for what happened five years back, it’s my fault for not confirming the rumor before accusing you of being guilty. I don’t think you would ever be able to forgive me, but I hope you would find a place in your heart to do so on the long run. I promise to be an amazing father to our son. Thank you so much Darby.” He couldn’t hide the happiness that filled him.
Darby felt satisfied with his reaction. Clearing her throat she held his gaze. “There is a clause and that would be you telling Chloe about your son before you get married.”
He nodded, “I will definitely do that.”
“Before then, I think it’s important you meet with the boy to know his reaction towards you. Will Sunday be good enough for you? He is usually disinterested in going out to the mall and sleeps in for a long while on Sundays, so you can come at noon when he would be awake.”
A teary chuckle escaped Leo’s lips. “He is just like me. I can definitely make it this Sunday. I promise to not disappoint you, Darby. Thank you so much for this opportunity. And I am sorry for whatever inconvenience I must have caused you. I hope we can be more friendly towards each other.”
“Don’t get too ahead of yourself.” Darby warned. “I don’t want you getting the wrong impression. Me taking my time off work and sitting here with you is all because of Sinclair, nothing more.”
“Right, I get it. What’s his last name?” He asked, cautiously picking his words.
“For some reason I didn’t give him a last name. So you can decide to input it in his birth certificate whenever you want to.”
Tears laced Leo’s eyes as he bowed his head. “I don’t know how to thank you, Darby. Thank you so much for holding up all this year. I appreciate you coming.”
She stood up. “It will be nice if we exchanged contacts now. I will send you the address. And don’t forget your promise, Chloe has to be informed. I don’t want her thinking I probably return to Los Angeles because of you. If you don’t I will cut off your meeting with Sinclair. ”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
“No problem. I would handle it.” He mumbled. “Can I type in my line on your phone?”
“Sure.” She replied handing him her phone.
A smile appeared on his face when he caught sight of Sinclair’s picture as Darby’s wallpaper. Inputing his contact, he handed it back to her. Darby called his line immediately.
“Now you have mine too. Have a good day, Mr Leo.” Darby said before walking out.
Leo couldn’t stop the smile that kept tugging at his lips cause for the first time in five years he feels genuinely happy. He couldn’t wait for Sunday to come.