The Beautiful Billionaire

ESTELLE “Sorry for the unexpected visit.”

“Are you kidding me?” Jaymes hugged me. “I always love having my children around on weekends, but since they’re older and have busy lives, I’m lucky if they visit me once a month. They went to the restaurant, though, or talked over the phone.”

When he noticed just a car parked outside his house without my driver, he didn’t have to say a word.

“I drove here.”

“Alone? All by yourself?” His eyes widened. I saw the shock and panic cross his eyes.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Does Gabe know? I heard he’s back.”

I shook my head. “Look, I don’t wanna get you in trouble. Um, I can go back.” I pointed my thumb over my shoulder toward the car.

“No, honey. Get inside before my neighbors see you.”

“Are you sure?”

“I would love nothing but your company. I’m cooking dinner. Do you eat roasted lamb?”

“Yeah. I’m sure it’s delicious.” I dropped my bag on the couch and followed him into the kitchen. “Why didn’t you get married again or date another woman?”

“I went on a few dates, but it didn’t come to the point of deciding to remarry.”

“I think you can still find someone, you know.”

“I don’t mean to pry, honey. Are you sure you won’t get everyone worried? Qamar must be in trouble looking for you.”

“I left a note. I’m sure they will find it.” I sat on the stool as I watched him prepare a salad. “Can I help?”

He paused and looked at me. His eyes glittered in amusement. “Do you know how to hold a knife?”

I smiled. “Of course.”

“I was just kidding. I’m good, Estelle.” He smiled back. Linden got his looks from his father. He might just look like Jaymes when he got older. “There’s a fruit juice on the fridge if you’re thirsty.”

I slid off the stool and went to the fridge. “Wow. Do chefs have all this kind in their fridges?” I was referring to fruits, vegetables, dairy products, eggs, some things in the jar I didn’t know, pickles, condiments, beers, and wine bottles.

“You don’t have that in your kitchen?”

“I have my own fridge. The chef has his own. I don’t check what’s inside.”

“That’s convenient.”

I grabbed the jug and brought it to the island. Jaymes already has two glasses ready. I poured two glasses, and then I went back to the stool.

“How’s the baby?”

I beamed. “She- Oh crap.”

Jaymes’ eyes lit up. “I won’t say anything. I promise. So. it’s a girl? I have a granddaughter. That’s awesome, honey.”

“Yup. You have a granddaughter. She has started moving.”

“That’s good. She’s active.” After he was done with the salad, he cleaned up pretty efficiently. “Tell me why you escaped from your detail.”

“I just want to have alone time,” I told him truthfully.

“And you came to me. You make me happy, Estelle.”

“Yeah. I had dinner with Mom last night. When I got home, Gabriel was already there. I am not ready to sit down with him and talk heart-to-heart. But we talked last night. He even felt the baby moving.”

“She sensed her parents.”

“Really?” I asked excitedly.

“It’s a myth, I think, but yeah. At around six or seven months, her hearing is developed so she can hear you. That’s why mothers sing or read books for the baby.”

“Oh, God, I can’t sing, but I can definitely read books.” I couldn’t help but smile. I felt the excitement in my belly.

“They’re going to find you once they figure you’re not home.”

“I know. That’s why I turned off my phone. I left my panic button and deactivated the GPS in my car.”

Jaymes paused for a moment before he talked. I knew he had no bad intentions, but he was just concerned. “You should not do that often, honey. People recognize you. You know London was taken when she sneaked out from the house?”

“Yeah. She told me she was kidnapped.”

“I know someone like you or like London. Your life can be frustrating, but that’s the life you can’t get away with. They recognize you wherever you go. And it’s not safe, especially right now. You’re pregnant to sneak out from your details. Don’t worry. I won’t tell them when they call because I can guarantee they call everyone you know, search every place, every CCTV and traffic cam.”

“I kinda made a few turns.”

Jaymes laughed in amusement. “You planned this well and came prepared.”

“Well, I like to watch spy movies and googled it, too.” I drank the mixed fruit cocktail. It was so good and refreshing.

“The roasted lamb is done. I’ll let it cool off for a few minutes.”

After our dinner, we settled on his couch in the living.

“Do you watch movies?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“I have readied the guest room for you.”

“You don’t mind if I stay?” My eyes widened in excitement.

“Estelle, you are my daughter-in-law, my daughter. I would never let you drive home alone. So if you stay, stay, but if you plan to go home, I suggest you call Qamar, or I will drive you back.”

“I’ll stay.”

“Good. There are Willa’s old clothes if you wanna change.”

“Thanks, Pops.”

“You don’t need to thank me. You’re always welcome to come and stay. This house is yours the moment you become my son’s wife.” He took the TV remote from the coffee table.

“What are we watching? I’ll raise my foot,” I told him as I put my foot on the coffee table.

“Go ahead, honey. You might get edema. You should tone down the salt in your food.

“I don’t like salty food.”

“That’s great. What do we have here?” He scanned through a streaming network. “You know. I’m not the type of in-laws who mind my son’s personal business, but I’m still asking you to give Gabe a chance. I know what he did was outrageous, and it hurt you, but your baby needs her father, and you will also need him.”

“I know, Pops.”

“I don’t want my granddaughter to grow up in a broken family. I know from my experience how difficult it is to raise kids alone. I know both of you can afford to hire nannies or give her a good education and secure her future, but her emotional and mental health is also important.”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“He told you?”

“No, he didn’t. Since he came back from bringing home Jasper, I haven’t seen him. Willa talked to me, and Jasper came looking for him. I kind of put two and two together.”

“I love your son so much, Pops. He just hurt me. Gabriel apologized, but I’m not ready to forgive him.”

“Good to know.” Jaymes held my hand. “I can’t wait to see my grandchild.”

I smiled. “I wish my father was as enthusiastic as you, Pops. Dad is a jerk, but he’s still my dad.”