Filed To Story: Finding the Secret Daddy for My Baby Novel
“No thanks, I’m on a diet.” She shook her head.
“Why would you need a diet? You’re not even fat.” A frown creased his forehead. I hold you every day, and I can tell you’re not out of shape at all.
“Just eat,” she said. “And you should go home after you’re done eating.”
Louie knew she wasn’t trying to chase him off for real as he didn’t sense any bite in her tone. I should finish the food first, he thought.
Eva then headed for the bathroom to take a shower. He finished his poached eggs and did the dishes. By the time they were done, it was already 11.30PM.
She stood on the balcony in her pajamas, uncorking a bottle of wine. Louie came in with a glass in his hand to join her. She stared into the distance, and suddenly, she asked, “So, what are you going to do about your arranged marriage?”
The question made him freeze for a few moments. He had wanted to hide it from her, but she still found out about it in the end.
“How did you know about this?”
“Julian told me. I asked him, so don’t blame the guy.” She frowned slightly as she continued, “I know this is hard for you, so I reckon we should break up. It is the best solution.” This is for the best. He can marry the girl his family arranged for him, while I can go overseas once the contract is over.
Louie held her hand firmly. “Breaking up won’t solve anything. I won’t let that happen. You’re not leaving.”
“Please, you don’t have to do this.” She tried to pull her hand back, but he refused to let go. Instead, he pulled her into his embrace and rested his chin on her shoulder.
“Are you really going to leave me behind?”
Eva stiffened up. That was the one question she had never spent time considering, but she knew she could never leave him.
“We’re going to be together, no matter the price.” He looked at her lovingly. I won’t let you run away again.
Tears glistened in her eyes. “But… you’ll have to pay a heavy price for that.”
“I’ll handle this, don’t worry. Then, we’ll have a wedding. A formal announcement that you’ll be my wife,” he promised. She looked at him, tears of happiness welling in her eyes. He leaned down to kiss her tears away. Then, he held her cheeks gently before pressing his lips against hers.
Everything stopped for a few moments. Eva could feel him taking her glass away before he picked her up in a princess carry and headed inside.
…
The Constantines were businesspeople relying on the operation of the malls to earn profits. However, their business had been slow as of late, and their profits had been declining, so they had to use a trump card to solve their dilemma. They had to invoke their daughter’s arranged marriage with a certain man.
Stardom Corporation was a multinational conglomerate. Its net worth was at least ten times what the Constantines’ business was worth. Stardom used to be a small entertainment company, but thanks to Louie, it was now developed into a big and successful company.
Lucy had just returned home. She came to the living room and saw her father looking distressed as he sat on the couch. She took a seat beside him and promised, “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll marry him, I promise. Then, we won’t have to worry about the business anymore.” “You have to do whatever you can. They say he’s dating one of his female artists.”
“Bah, she’s merely his plaything, I’m sure. Anyway, I ain’t worried much about that. I’ll just have to make sure he won’t sleep around once we’re married.” She was a broad-minded woman. She didn’t expect Louie to keep his chastity since she had also slept around. All she wanted was to be his wife, as he was the man she loved.
“I’ll talk to them tomorrow.” She wasn’t planning on talking to Louie. Instead, she wanted to see Eva, for she was the one standing between her and Louie.
When Eva woke up the next morning, Louie was already gone, but there was a slip of paper with a message written on it lying before her bed. The message read, ‘Don’t forget to have your breakfast.’
She got out of bed and went to the dining room. A smile crept on her face when she noticed a set of breakfast was already placed on the table. All her life, she was used to living by herself, but now that she had someone taking care of her, it surprisingly felt nice. Just when she was about to have breakfast, her phone rang.
She picked it up. “Who’s this?” “Miss Duncan, I would like to talk to you,” a woman said imperiously. Oh, it’s Lucy. Eva then replied, “Sorry, I don’t have time.”
“It won’t take long, Miss Duncan. It’ll only be half an hour. I’ll be waiting for you in the coffee shop right outside your neighborhood.” With that, Lucy hung up.
Eva stared at the breakfast on the table, sighing. Why does she want to talk to me? Reluctantly, she went to meet up with Lucy. Eva saw her in the coffee shop and figured she must have dressed herself up for the occasion. Lucy was quite a beauty, but not as beautiful as Eva. Everyone knew Eva as the most beautiful woman in the community. She looked just like a goddess, and most people didn’t have looks of her level.
Lucy stared at her with envy hidden deep in her eyes. “Miss Duncan, I heard you’re living with Louie. Do you wish to marry him?” She cut to the chase.
Eva mused for a moment and nodded. “I do have that idea, yes.”
“I would advise you to give it up. Our marriage arrangement is bound by law. You’re the homewrecker in our relationship. Should your fans know you seduced my fiancé, that’ll be it for your career.”
The look on Eva’s face changed slightly. “Mind your tongue. You two haven’t even married yet, so I’m not a home-wrecker.”
“We will be married soon, though. What will you do when that happens, Miss Duncan?”
“What are you trying to say?” Fury was starting to boil within Eva.
“I’m telling you to leave him.”
“What makes you think you can do that?” Eva narrowed her eyes. Lucy had been bossy from the moment they met. Eva might be a patient woman, but this was a bit too much, even for her.
“Do you have any idea what Louie has to sacrifice just to date you? Twenty percent of his company’s shares. That’s astronomical. Unless he marries me, my family reserves the right to claim our shares in the company.”
Silence took Eva.
“Do you really think you’re worth that much? If his company runs into trouble, all his love for you will turn into resentment. Men like Louie love nothing more than their work,” Lucy sneered. “He doesn’t love you as much as he loves his work.”
Eva remained silent. She had that talk with Louie the night before. “Eva, you’re beautiful enough to marry any other wealthy man you want. You don’t have to obsess over Louie.” Lucy took a step back and pleaded, “Please. I don’t want to make things ugly, especially not with the Gilmores.”
Eva met Lucy’s eyes as she said icily, “But he doesn’t like you.” Lucy’s face fell. “What did you say? How did you know that?”
“Because he told me I’m the only one he loves. He won’t fall for anyone else. Not ever,” Eva answered calmly. “Miss Constantine, you won’t be happy marrying a man who doesn’t love you.” “How can you be sure he doesn’t like me?”
“I’ve known him for years. He fell for me five years ago and has been waiting for me to return his feelings since then. I’m not trying to brag, but he really loves me.” Eva was trying to dissuade Lucy from pressing on with the marriage.
She couldn’t leave him behind now, not when the alternative was… this woman. If Louie would hold on, then so would she.
“Why you…” Lucy’s face turned red from anger. She would’ve laughed it off had any other woman said that, but not Eva. Lucy knew whatever she said was the truth, after all. “Eva, beauty fades with age. He won’t stay in love with you once you lose your beauty.”
Eva blinked. “But at least he still likes me now. Anyway, I’ll be taking my leave now. I’m busy.” With that, she got up and left.
Lucy was left alone, feeling humiliated. She’s showing off, huh? “I bet he won’t stay in love with you if you lose that pretty face of yours.” Just then, her face was contorted with envy. And I’m going to ruin that face.
Eva emerged from the coffee shop, basking in the warm sunshine. It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She wanted to call Louie to tell him she would accept his love.
The moment Louie exited the conference room, his assistant happily reported, “President Gilmore, I heard Eva came.” A smile tugged his lips as he whisked out his phone to call Eva. The call went through easily. “Hello?”
“You’re here?” “Yes.” “Come to my office.” “I’m just here to talk about the contract termination. So, I’m not going up there,” she replied.