While I was in labor he was accompanying his mistress No
Chapter 9
“Mind your language, Cindy,” I could never tolerate anyone using such words in addressing a child, even if they weren’t mine.
“What did I say wrong?” Cindy spat, “Why would someone leave their child to live in an orphanage unless…”
“Just shut up, Cindy,” I cut her off, “No wonder your daughter is so
venomous.”
“Besides, there are people who abandon their own child to take care of others. So, you better not pass such derogatory comments against these innocent children living here,” I said, meanwhile I heard Ethan saying while staring at Layla, “I’m not an orphan. Don’t curse my parents, they are not dead.”
Layla laughed on this before she spoke, “If you are not an orphan boy, then what are you doing here? Besides, do you have a Da Da like mine?”
Ethan shot a sharp glance at Harris before he looked back at Layla, saying, “I don’t want a Daddy like him. My Daddy is way more handsome and capable than yours,”
Ethan’s words left me in a puzzle. I didn’t understand why he said something like that. I was wondering if he gained confidence because of my statement to him the other day. I felt guilty towards him because my son was going to lose face because of me.
“It’s impossible,” Layla laughed at Ethan, continuing, “My Dada is the best. No one can compare to my Dada. He is handsome, rich, famous and successful. A boy like you…”
Before Layla could complete her sentence, Ethan ran away in haste. His actions made me worried, and I chased after him only to see him stopping beside a man in a grey suit. I was facing the back of this man, who was surrounded by the media reporters, finding it hard to stop them from taking his pictures.
Ethan quietly wrapped his tiny hands around his, and said innocently, “Daddy…”
His words amazed everyone standing there and all the cameras began focusing on Ethan. Ethan smiled sweetly before he made a cute face, looking at the man and said, “Daddy, I want to introduce you to my friend. Can you come and say ‘Hi‘ to her?”
Chapter 9
2/3 51.0%
19:45 Tue, 11 Mar.
38%
I felt really awkward seeing Ethan behaving like that. I immediately walked up and pulled Ethan’s hands away from the man and lowered my head in guilt. I was going to apologise on Ethan’s behalf but before I could utter a single word, the reporters bombarded the man, wearing a black mask and goggles, with several questions.
“Mr. Russo, why is this kid calling you Daddy? Do you have a secret lover nobody knows?”
“Mr. Russo, are you already married?”
“Isn’t the woman standing beside Mr. Russo, Mr. Salvador’s Ex wife? What’s going on between her and the richest man on the continent?”
“Is Mr. Russo the real reason behind her divorce? Are they in love?”
“Why are you not saying anything, Mr. Russo? What’s your relationship with this kid?”
I looked up at the man whose face was covered with the mask. But, the part that was exposed, was enough for me to imagine his beauty. Bathing in sunshine, and wrapped in a well tailored branded suit, he looked like a Greek figure. For a moment, I lost myself in his charm and forgot to say anything. However, my son’s continuous call of “Daddy” to this man pulled me back to my senses and I immediately apologized in a low voice, saying, “I–I’m sorry, Mr. Russo. Ethan is really a nice child. I don’t know why he is doing this. But, don’t worry, I’ll clear your image right now and tell the media you have no relationship with him.”
I turned to the reporters to clear the misunderstanding, but before I could speak, Russo went ahead of me. He took off his mask and goggles as he winked at Ethan before he turned to face the reporters. I then heard a soft and magnetic voice as Russo announced, “What is there to tell you? Didn’t my son tell you already? I’m his Daddy and he is my son, that’s it.”
His words raised many questions among the reporters. One by one, they asked many questions. The most common of them all were “Who is the mother of your son, Mr. Russo?”
In his response, Russo wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer, saying in a playful voice, “Who do you think can give birth to such a charming boy? Of course, it’s Doctor Darcy, the prettiest woman I have ever seen in my life.”
I coughed, looking at Russo. I met this man only now and he was acting as if he knew me for years, acting so lovey dovey. I wanted to interrupt and cut
While I was in labor he was accompanying his mistress
1/3 49.0%
19:46 Tue, 11 Mar
38%
this drama but Ethan whispered in a low voice, “Mommy, just act for some time. That arrogant girl and her father are watching us.”
I followed Ethan’s gaze only to find Harris looking at our direction. His face. turned pale and eyes red in anger.
38%
Chapter 10
I stood there, frozen in shock, as Russo’s words hung in the air. The reporters were eating it up, snapping pictures and asking more questions. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, with no way out.
But then I looked down at Ethan, who was gazing up at me with a mischievous grin. I remembered his whispered words, “Just act for some time. That arrogant girl and her father are watching us.”
I took a deep breath and put a smile on my face. I wrapped my arms around Russo’s waist, playing along with the charade. “Yes, we’re a happy family,” I cooed, trying to sound convincing.
Russo’s eyes sparkled with amusement, and he pulled me closer, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered in a low voice,“If you agree, we can
be.”
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I pulled back, trying to maintain some distance. But Russo just chuckled and kept his arm around me, holding me
close.
The reporters continued to ask questions, and Russo fielded them with ease, spinning a tale of our supposed relationship. I listened, amazed, as he wove a web of deceit, making it sound like we were a loving couple.
But I knew the truth. I had just met this man, and I had no idea what his motives were. Was he just trying to help me out of an awkward situation, or was there something more to it?
As the reporters finally began to disperse, Russo turned and bent down.
“Naughty boy,” he pinched Ethan’s cheeks, saying, “You can’t call Daddy anybody. Next time don’t do this to anyone or your mother would be in trouble.”
I smiled apologetically and said in a soft voice, “Mr. Russo, I’m really sorry
for Ethan’s behaviour, and thanks for not letting him down.”
“Don’t be sorry, Doctor Darcy, Let’s just say, I enjoyed the show,” he whispered, his breath tickling my ear.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I pulled back, trying to create some distance between us. I wondered how he knew my name and profession, but I didn’t want to extend our conversation. So, I chose not to ask. Instead, I held Ethan’s hands and said, “Let’s go home, Ethan.”
Chapter 9
3/3 52.9%
19:46 Tue, 11 Mar,
38%
“Wait…” Russo held Ethan’s other hand and stopped us. He again bent
down to face Ethan, and put his card in the pocket of Ethan’s shirt before saying, “Next time when you need Daddy just call me. I’ll be there. Good boys don’t change their Daddy every time they are in trouble, okay?”
Ethan narrowed his eyes as he asked, “But, you said I can’t call Daddy anybody?”
“I’m not anybody, am I?” Russo immediately replied, making Ethan smile in joy.
After Russo got up, I asked, “Why are you doing this, Russo? You shouldn’t encounter him to call you Daddy.”
“Or you want him to call Daddy every other man he sees?”
Russo’s remark left me in a daze. I didn’t say anything on this, took my son and left.
While returning home in my car, I said to Ethan, “Ethan, that was not cool at all. I get that you wanted to show off before that little girl, but you just can’t call ‘Daddy‘ to anybody.”
“But Mommy,” he said, “He is not just anybody. He said that, didn’t he?”
I shot him a dark glance before we two burst into laughter.
My laughter came to an abrupt halt when Ethan suddenly asked, “Mommy, Is Harris Salvador my father?”
I immediately pressed on the break and turned left to look at my son as I asked in a stunning voice, “Why are you saying that? Did anyone tell you something?”
“No,” he said, “Reporters were addressing you as his ex wife, and you were hiding me from him. I just joined the clues.”
I knew my son was smart. But oftentimes, he left me speechless by showing he was smarter than I expected.
“Hmm…” I hunned, “Do you like him?”
“No,” he replied instantly, “You did it right, divorcing him.”
My eyes welled up with tears. Many people have told me this, but hearing this from my son who desperately wanted a Daddy means a lot to me.
“I don’t want a Daddy like him,” he added. I smiled, and before I could thank my son for understanding me he said,“I want Uncle Russo as my Daddy.”
C
