Arabel's POV

London

A pulse is hammering at my temple as I trot into the big living room where Griffin had a party going the last time I was here.

After leaving Germany and packing our bags in a hurry and in tears, I had to go to London.

I need Griffin's help.

I no longer want to partner with Richard. In fact, I want to stay very far from him. I want my child to never remember his face or name.

I don't care if I face legal consequences for abruptly terminating the contract. I just want to do anything to keep us from seeing each other.

The more contacts there are, the bigger the problem for me.

I will do this to protect my child. Then go far away from here, somewhere he can never find us until he gives up.

"You can stay here, ma'am, while I inform him," his P.A says to me before heading upstairs to his home office, where we had a meeting the last time.

I'm hoping to get the help I can.

Impatiently, I pace to and fro, waiting for someone to show up. I had Lucia watch over Daisy, who has been in a very sour mood since Richard showed up and ruined her birthday.

I decided to do this first before organizing another birthday party for her now that we are back in London. I'm going to invite anyone I can: my staff, her schoolmates, and our neighbor's children. Perhaps that will help to uplift her mood and make her forget that loser of a father.

“Ms. Portillo, Mr. Griffin will see you now.” She comes back and informs me with an affirmative nod.

Quickly, I take the steps up. As soon as I get to the landing, I hurry over to his office on the left.

With my fist, I knock on the door softly, waiting for his permission to come in, which comes almost immediately. “Come in.”

I pull the door open and stroll in with a small light on my face.

“Bella.”

“Hi, Griffin.”

"It's been a while," he says, motioning for me to take a seat opposite the large mahogany desk, which reminds me of Richard's home office.

“Yes, I've been off and on recently.”

“Is it about the partnership with Giodano?” He demands with a raised brow, and I nod, wondering how he knew. “How is it so far?”

“Fine, thank you.” I flash him a smile.

“So to whom do I owe this surprise visit?” He asks, leaning backward and finally dropping the tablet in his hand.

I sigh deeply before fishing out the business card from my tiny purse. “I know this is sudden, but I need your help since I met him here the other day at your party.”

I extend the card to him, which he picks up instantly. He studies it for a while before shaking his head, confusion written all over his expression. “Whose card is this?”

Terrified, I ask. “You don't know him?”

“No.”

“The guy from the other night. The one you spoke to and left me with on our way here. I can't remember what you called him, but he is a striking young man. He mentioned something to me about a partnership and promised to get back to me.” I am practically rambling out of desperation. I know that.

I have been trying to reach this person since I left Germany, all to no avail. In fact, I tried him once in New York, but I couldn't reach him, and I didn't bother to anymore until I decided I wasn't going to partner with Richard's anymore.

I sent a message to the business card email address but there was no response.

I called. Not connected.

I didn't know how else to reach him, which is why I am here.

Griffin seems to be ransacking his brain for who exactly it was. With a soft shake of the head, he responds. “I'm so sorry, Bella, I can't recall who.”

I understand that there were a lot of dignitaries at the party that night, including Richard. He wouldn't remember everyone.

I just wish I could remember what he called him. They spoke as though they used to be so close to each other. He isn't someone Griffin can forget so easily.

How else can I describe him?

“Should I describe him?” I demand not letting go so easily. This is my life.

Griffin nods.

“He has gray hair, a straight jawline, is handsome, and could pass for a young man of 30. The way you greeted me made it clear that it had been a while since you two last saw each other. He asked me if I was Bella, and I was surprised. He said you told him a lot about me and even about my child…”

“What?!” Griffin exclaims, leaning forward and looking upset, like I said something wrong. “Your child?”

“Yes.”

“I didn't. Wait, you have a child? Was it that girl from the other day?” I nod. “Bella, I didn't. Are you sure he said that?”

“Positive.”

“Well, I'm afraid that person is a liar. I never told anyone about you. Not at the party. Not before the party or even after. Our business is strictly between us. Why would I say a word about you to someone else?”

I was surprised too when he mentioned that Griffin told him about me.

If Griffin didn't, then who did? Why did he tell me that? What was his purpose?”

“I'm sorry…”

“It's fine, really. I should go.” I rise up quickly. There is no point in waiting. Obviously, this guy is a scam. No wonder I found him strange. He was a young guy pretending to be middle-aged.

“Maybe he wanted to have something to do with you, and that was the only thing he could say to grab your attention,” Griffin suggests, shrugging his shoulders.

I nod. “Maybe. Thank you for your time, sir. I will take my leave now.”

“Thank you for understanding, Bella, and for not doubting me,” he appreciates, and he stands up to give me an upper hug since the desk is in between us.

With a smile on my face, I walk forward, my mind filled with numerous unresolved questions that could remain unanswered if I fail to locate that guy.

No one knows about him.

I feel an icy clamp of sweat on my forehead as it slowly dawns on me that the guy approached me on purpose for a reason.

That reason is what I have no idea about.

Regarding what Griffin said, that may be it, but my intuition says otherwise. It is something more. If he wanted to have an affair with me, he would have reached out to me first, without any delay, after waiting for days for me to reach out.

But I didn't reach out at all until after a month, and now it's been three months.

Something is definitely wrong somewhere.

I hurry out and enter the open car, which drives off immediately. With my head placed on the car seat, I try to wave the thought away and every other thought so as to occupy myself with how to organize Daisy's birthday tonight.

It has to be tonight.

Yesterday was her birthday, but it was ruined, so I have to make it tonight or it won't be possible anymore.

I already instructed Lucia to send out IVs, and I am hoping people will turn up considering the short notice.

I just want to make it memorable for her, to make up for what happened yesterday. I don't want it to be just the two of us. Having ten others will be fantastic, or even better.

By the time Stephen drives me back home, I am weary from overthinking. As soon as he parks the car in the driveway, I step out.

There is still a lot to do before tonight. I haven't ordered a cake, and I intend to order a dress for her, too. I also need to instruct the maids on what to cook for the party.

Swiftly, I walk in, making for the lounge where I can find Natty, the head maid, and instruct her on what to prepare.

Lucia appears suddenly. “Welcome ma'am.”

I don't stop walking as I reply. “Thank you.”

“Ma'am?” She calls back when I walk past her. I halt quickly, realizing I didn't ask about my daughter. “What is it, Lucia? Did something happen while I was away?”
 
“No, ma'am, but you have a guest,” she reveals slowly, fear in her eyes.
I instructed them not to let any strangers in. It was a simple warning.

Glaring at her, I ask. “Where is Daisy?”

“She is in her bedroom, studying,” she answers before leaning her head down.

“I thought I told you not to let anyone in?” I can't help voicing out my thoughts.

"Yes, you did, but she said she was your mom. I didn't want to upset you by not letting your mother in…I tried to call you, but I couldn't reach you. Natalie tried too. Sorry, ma'am.”

There is obvious confusion on my face.

When she mentioned the guest, I thought it must be Richard again, and I was already winding up on how to throw him out.

I didn't expect it to be a woman this time.

“Where is she?” I turn back on my heels to find out who it is. Since I don't have any friends, I barely receive guests at home. Perhaps it must be someone from the office.

But I know deep down that no one from the office will come in with the excuse of being my mother.

I halt, rooted to a spot, as it dawns on me slowly, just in time for the person I am thinking about to appear right in front of me.

Why didn't I think of her?

There is only one person on earth who can claim that name. Not my real mother since she is late, but the woman who took me in when my biological mother died.

That person is Richard's mother, Theresa.

My ex-mother-in-law.

****
What do you think Richard's mother is here for? To apologise to her? To convince her?

If you were in Arabel's shoes, will you forgive and forget just like that?

Comment your thought and don't forget to vote.

Thank you so much for the support so far and the comments. God bless you. Love you all❤