A/N:  Shit is about to get real. Brace yourselves 😮
****

Ebony

Oh, Derrick’s reaction was indeed priceless. He practically herded me out of that restaurant so fast. As we drove, he called his father up and yelled, “I’m coming home, you old mother fucker,” and then hung up.

Derrick shared that Kalleigha used to work for his family as a nanny, housekeeper, and sometimes the cook whenever someone quit because they could no longer stand to put up with Lucian. She was like the mother he never known.

I was very eager to meet her.

She finally quit after so many years when Derrick turned eighteen and left home for college.

“Pack some clothes,” he barked once we made it back to the penthouse. I froze as I saw the Barbie doll figure sitting on the sectional sofa.

Barbie: not as in a compliment, but as an insult on how fake this bitch was. “Was”, as in I’m about to put one in her dome.

“Ebony,” Evelyn greeted me coolly. I gave her the you a dead bitch look. I told him he needed to get better security.

“I told you to…” Derrick trailed off as he noticed the bitch.

“I told you, Derrick, this wasn’t over,” she purred.

“Ah, hell nah. Say your prayers bitch ‘cause you bout to meet Jesus a whole lot sooner than scheduled-

Derrick grabbed my arm, pulling me back to him (like why do everybody try to hold me back). I could feel the barely banked violence radiating off of him. I learned a thing or two about him from the amount of time we spent together. He was unpredictable when angry. Mostly because he doesn’t lash out when you expected him to, like, now. He was as calm as a summer breeze in June.

“What brings you here, Evelyn?” When he spoke in that tone, I cringed. It dripped venom and ice and everything you would expect a sociopath on a leash to sound like before he was unleashed.

Even she flinched at his tone, cleared her throat and said, “It’s been five years, Derrick. I think it’s about time you meet your son.” A boy with dark hair and jade green eyes stepped forward. I gasped, nonplussed. I just stood there, frozen.

“I told you, he’s not my son,” Derrick whispered. I beg to differ. The boy looked exactly like him.

“He’s yours, Derrick-

“If you hadn’t cheated on me with my best friend and only God knows how many others there wouldn’t be any doubt about it!”

Honestly, who would want to cheat on Derrick, but that’s beside the point. He has a son.

“You have no right to try and play the victim here. I was just as hurt as you were when our first baby-girl died.” Bomb after bomb just kept on getting dropped on this fucking parade. Her eyes mist with tears before it was gone. “Plus, I wouldn’t lie to you about something like this.”

The silence stretched as I just stood there not knowing what to say or how to feel. I blinked several times. The boy walked up, tugging on his mom’s skirt. Evelyn gazed down at him, giving a reassuring smile as she ruffled his hair.

“Look, Derrick, if you want to get a paternity test go ahead… I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for you to get to know him. He needs you.” Evelyn shook her head and sighed. “After you left and got a divorce, I tried to tell you for so long, but I couldn’t blame you for not wanting anything to do with me and denying you sired him.”

Derrick stared at her then at the boy in silence. “I’ll get a paternity test,” Derrick said. His voice was flat and unemotional. Evelyn looked relieved at his decision.

“That’s all I ever wanted, Derrick.”

I stared out of the floor to ceiling window at skyscrapers and the buzzing city below. If ever there was a test of our love here was one of those times. I put up with a lot. Only because I believe he is worth it.

The boy is Derrick’s. There’s no mistaking it. He is the splitting image of him. But that’s not what’s getting to me the most. He had two children. “I loved her… once.” His voice came from somewhere behind me.

“She was my college sweetheart, but she was so different then. I got her pregnant and we married, but by then I was already in love… When Angelique was born it was the happiest day of my life…” I refused to turn around and look at him. I fisted my hands.

“When our daughter was born her lungs weren’t fully developed. She underwent surgery… but didn’t survive.” His voice broke on that last sentence. There was a long pause before he continued. I still didn’t look at him because if I did I would start crying. He didn’t need that. Derrick was long pass tears.

“Instead of finding comfort in my arms she found it with other men including my best friend. I didn’t want to divorce her not after what we been through, but I had to, if I wanted to keep my sanity.” His words felt like a punch in the gut. I wasn’t prepared for that last part.

He wanted to stay with her and work things out even after she cheated on him. Glad he pulled his head out of his ass or I wouldn’t even be here.

I remained silent, listening.

“After I divorced her she claimed she was pregnant again and I was the father.” He gave a short humorless laugh. “We had a short reconciliation before I left her. Of course I didn’t believe her, not after what she put me through. I thought it was one of her schemes to get me back. Evelyn knew how to manipulate men to get whatever she wanted… But after seeing him today… He looks just like me.” He whispered that last part.

I heard his footsteps moving closer and closer until he was standing before me. He kneeled between my legs, gazing into my eyes, searching. “Come on, Eb, say something.”

I shrugged, looking down. He grabbed my chin forcing me to meet his gaze again. “What do you want me to say, Derrick?” I whispered back. “I can’t change your past or the fact you have some serioushistory with another woman.” I hated that. She had him before me. He lovedher before me, made babies with her too.

“You’re angry,” he discerned, gazing directly into my eyes. His stare was sharp and penetrating. “Do you love me?”

I bit my lip to keep it from quivering. “Yes, Derrick, I do.”

“There’s a “but” isn’t there.”

“You have a child with her. That’s a bigdeal. She cheated on you and was a manipulating bitch, I get that, but you could have- no youshould have got a paternity test yearsago. You neglected your child.” His lips pressed into a hard line, taking in my words.

He looked away briefly. “You’re right, but can you live with that, me, fathering a child that’s with another woman?”

Could I? His past was his past and I couldn’t change it. I understood why he was so angry and hostile towards her. She broke his heart at a time where he needed her the most.

But I love him, plain and simple.

“Yes-

He kisses me long and hard, cutting off my words. I could literally feel the relief in his body. He thought I would leave him. “God, I never been so scared in my life,” he admitted.

I’m too invested in him, in this relationship. Even though he abducted me, I was still given a choice. I chose to stay with Derrick, giving up my other life. I would practically do anything for him and I have. “I’d never leave you, Derrick, but you need to do the right thing by your son.”

***

Meanwhile…

Kalleigha

Am I a fool? Sometimes I think I am. I waited twelve years for him to wake up and realize. It was a fool’s dream. That’s why I moved on… if you call never marrying moving on.

The man was so stubborn.

It seemed God answered my prayers, but not in the way I hoped. The man I’ve been in love with for the pass twenty-two years was dying. Why am I even taking this job? I learned in my forty-seven years of life that fear is a silent killer. Faith gives you strength.

I hoped that Lucian and I…

I shake my head.

Kira and I cried on the phone together when she told me the news. I wanted to be here for however long he’s got. The doctors said six months maybe less, but he’s taking some kind of experimental drug that’s helping.

After my long plane ride which was payed for- courtesy of Kira- my chauffer pulls into the wrap around driveway leading up to the mansion. The water fountain of Zeus still stood in the center.

It was no surprise my hands were shaking, showing the immense emotions I was feeling coming back to a place I made more memories in than my own home.

The Chauffer gets out and opens my door then moves to the trunk, dislodging my luggage.

I was twenty-four when I first came to work for the O’ Connors. I was hired some years after the passing of Priscilla O’ Connor.  I’ll never forget the first time I ever met Lucian O’ Connor. I thought he was sexy, arrogant, and dangerous and not to mention a womanizer too. My instincts are always right about people. He had dozens of women- mostly models- coming in and out that mansion.

Kira opened up the double-doors stepping out onto the porch followed by a pretty young woman dressed in maid attire. I narrowed my eyes stepping out of the car, sighing heavily. Lucian was screwing her. This indeed was going to be a very interesting stay.

Kira’s face brightened as she smiled. Then she barked a command to the young woman. “Carry Ms. Kalleigha’s things up to her room! Now! Or you’re fired!” I wanted to laugh. Kira hadn’t changed one bit. Before I came she was spoiled rotten by Lucian. He gave her everything she wanted to keep her out of his hair. Kira was very bossy, always demanding her way. I changed all that.

All the emotions I was experiencing on the way here instantly got sucked up and I was put into war mode. He stood perfectly still in the grand living room dressed in one of his impeccable urbane suits, blonde hair loose down his back. Still sexy, still intimidating, and dangerous-looking as ever, I see.

Kira smirked, conspiratorially. “Father, you remember Kalleigha,” she gestures to me.

He says nothing, those pretty hazel eyes scanning me from head to toe, very slowly. Okay, very VERY slowly. My spine snaps a little straighter.

I know I still look good.

“What’s the matter,Louie? Kalleigha got your tongue?” I purred, raising a brow. His sexy full lips worked up a fuss, but nothing came out.

Put one on the score board for Kal.

I turn towards the pretty little anorexic maid. “Uh, Natasha,” I called in a very sweet professional tone. “The house is looking pretty dusty. Why don’t you run along now and. Get. To. Work.” I made sure to stress every word so there isn’t any misunderstanding. She gave me a look, blinking. “Yes, honey. I’m running things around here.” I shoo her away like a fly hovering over your meal.

“You,” I barked pointing a finger towards Louie, “need some house rules that only apply to you! Rule #1: No screwing the maid! Rule #2: you will not treat the staff like shit! And last but not least, Rule #3: you will be more than partial to Derrick when he returns! Am I understood?!”

He tried to protest and make a threat, but I was already leaving the room to unpack.

Put another one on the score board for Kal.

A/N:

Q: If you were in Ebony's shoes would you stay or leave Derrick?

What do you think about Kalleigha so far?