The Billionaire’s Betrayed Love

12: Fear Of The Past

ALMA

That sick asshole...

My shirt had become a sticky mess because I was covered in sweat from the little interaction I had with Carl. His presence had me stressed, yet his absence somehow lingered. Without a doubt, our paths would certainly cross again, and I'd be driven to the edge, just as I was just minutes ago.

I should have checked before letting him in. If I'd known it was Carl, that door would have remained slammed shut, never to be opened onto him. I squeezed my palm, cupping my other hand. The feel of his skin grazing my palm wasn't one I was quick to forget.

Like clockwork, the sparking electricity that I'd always felt around him was awoken that moment he grabbed my hand, and I slapped him to regain control over myself again. I didn't spend five years loathing him, only to eventually serve him the opportunity of a shitty explanation on a golden platter. It was never going to happen.

Carl had his charms, but I was immune to them. I'd be a fool not to be. I was on my way to the driveway, and the moment I stepped outside the company, the beautiful view of Velma and Rodney graced me. My knotted heart unclenched, and a wave of relief danced through my being. Just setting eyes on Velma reminded me of every single thing I should never forget.

Like what Carl and Linda had done to me. The pain faded over time, and loathing people was hard, but I planned to do it until they both fell to their knees and apologized. Not to me, to my adorable little angel who had to grow up without a father and earned a sport with relentless bullies. It wasn't easy fortifying her, and Rodney's presence in our lives was a big blessing.

Velma was eating ice cream again, and Rodney was showing something to her on his phone. They were both seated by the pavement that led to the underground car park. At that moment, Rodney raised his head in time and met my gaze. He was quick to smile and get on his feet, while Velma followed after a very obvious attempt to hide her ice cream.

She flashed me a cheeky smile and ran to me with her hands open wide. "Mama!" My heart swelled with pride, and I didn't hesitate to drop my bag as I lifted her off the floor, and gave her the biggest bear hug in the history of bear hugs.

"You sweet little rebellious child!" I teased, pinching her fluffy cheeks softly. "I missed you! How are you?"

"Oh, I'm good," her expression was teasing, and she flashed in my face. "This is all I need to be good!"

"Oh? What about me, then?" I pouted disappointedly. "You don't need me to be good?"

"Of course, I do, mama! I need you to do everything in the world!" she leaned closer and kissed my cheeks. "We've been waiting for...seventeen hours! Rodney says we can't come up since you have a confluence!"

"Confluence?" The word merged with a light chortle as I looked at Rodney. "Really? Seventeen hours?"

"Conference," he corrected, smiling proudly as though he were surprised she even knew the word at all. I didn't find Velma's lingo surprising anymore. She was an intelligent kid, way smarter than most kids of her age. "And seventeen minutes."

"Ah, impressive. I told you not to worry, though, you know? I feel bad for having you do all these--"

Rodney waved a dismissive hand. "We only came because we're jobless, unlike Wonder Woman here," he gestured toward me. "And this place is close to our new operations crib, so it was easy."

"Shhhh!" Velma placed a finger on Rodney's lips. "Don't tell her about the operation. It is con-fli-den-sial!"

"Ah, my bad!" Rodney placed his hand over his mouth, pretending to be shocked. "That was a slip of the tongue, Sensei. I won't be telling her off all our confidential operations anymore. Come on, Alma. My co-spy and I will drop you off at your place for free."

"Big words for a five-year-old," I rolled my eyes, giggling. Being with them brought me so much peace. "I hope your new operation crib doesn't close down after you suck dry all the ice cream in the state!"

We began to walk towards his car. "Mama! Don't say that. Finishing all the ice cream is glu-tton."

My eyes immediately darted to Rodney again, who looked at me at the same time. We both broke into a peal of laughter, and Rodney finally commented. "Oh, she's going to be Einstein!"

"Who's Einstein?!" Velma quizzed in a curious tone.

I patted Rodney's back, pitying him already. "Now you've got to finish what you started..."

In times like this, life felt so simple, and I really didn't see any reason to hold on to the matter of the past or to let it control me. I just looked at Velma, and my world was filled with so much joy. Even though the car was blocked with noise, even though we were all yelling Diamonds by Rihanna. Even though Rodney didn't know the lyrics, and Velma paused countless times to teach him.

With her, everything seemed right, and I didn't need anyone else. Rodney dropped us at the front of the apartment, but Velma wouldn't let go of his hand. The oldest trick in her book was to make sure he stayed for dinner until she fell asleep.

"My hands are glued to Rodney's," she declared, just as she did every time. "Only dinner could solve this!"

"Velma, He has important things to do!" I tried to pull her away gently. "You can see him tomorrow."

"But tomorrow is so far..." she whined.

I didn't want to be any more of an inconvenience than I'd already been. Rodney treated her no less than a daughter and didn't stop even when it put us in awkward situations at times. We'd been mistaken for a couple so many times because of her, and it didn't get better.

I'd made my feelings clear to him, and I wouldn't want to trespass boundaries anymore. This was a different setting, the start of another chapter of our lives. I crouched low to her level, cupping her face. "Tomorrow is just a few hours away. You waited for seventeen hours, after all. I'm sure you can handle more. Rodney has to--"

"Would you ask him to leave if he was my dad?" her question kept me silent for a while, and I genuinely couldn't find a response for her.

One of the downsides of having a smart kid was having to deal with questions like this, or explaining how she got into my belly. I sighed tiredly, preparing to be blunt."But he's not..."

"Actually, I don't mind," Rodney cut in, and my gaze widened.

Mind being her father?? "Mind what? Rodney, we talked about this, and I-"

"Dinner..." he enunciated, matter-of-factly, with one of his brows arched. "I meant dinner, Alma. I'd come in for her and leave as soon as she's asleep."

"Oh..." fuck! That was embarrassing. I ruffled my hair, releasing a strained breath. "Of course. Of course. I mean...yeah. Yeah, let's go. Come on in."

I ushered him in, and as usual, Rodney was the one who put something together for all of us. It was delightful to watch, as always. His culinary skills were so polished that I wouldn't dare offer a hand, except I wanted to taint it. He was no different from a chef of five-star Michelin's and did everything so aesthetically that touching the food would sometimes scare me.

Velma, who suggested dinner, took cereal before us and slept off on the couch. She was so adorable.

Tonight's menu was Pasta, and soon enough, we were seated around the table, chattering away before I mentioned Velma's enrollment into the school. It was a school very close to the company and our apartment, so commuting wouldn't be a problem. I'd also vetted them, and she'd be resuming tomorrow, after I see her homeroom teacher, of course. Velma was too precious to be dropped into the hands of anyone unworthy.

I didn't even care how that made me sound. All I cared about was my daughter. "So, I've found a school for Velma, and it's...really good. Tomorrow will be her assessment test and resumption."

Rodney dropped his fork. "So fast? I thought she-"

"Yeah, I know," I cut in. "I just really want her to be surrounded by people her age, you know? Moving her suddenly is...a lot, and I don't want it to affect her socially, you know? She already has a hard time settling with people who are her mates..."

"Because they're 'dumb," Rodney air quoted. "That's what she said to me. Velma is really advanced, so I know where the issue is coming from. It's also impressive that you worked it out, and I trust your judgment."

I nodded slightly, focusing on my food. "Thanks. I needed that. I think I'm way more nervous than she is. It's a massive step, Rodney. She has to meet other people and try to fit in with...the single-mother dynamic. It's not going to be easy."

A huge lump suddenly materialized in my throat, and I was thrown into despair once again. I wanted nothing more than for things to work out perfectly, without interference.

"Hey, hey..." Rodney called out from the other end of the table. "This is not the first time, okay? You've gone through this, and you've always thrived, Alma. It's just in your DNA to make things work out. You're much better than two or more parents. Way better." He paused, then scoffed a little. "I mean...how many of her age mates have a successful billionaire as their mother? It's a pretty high stake if you ask me."

We both laughed over this remark, and I felt slightly better. "Seriously, you'd do well, and you're making the best decision for her. Cut yourself some slack." I already knew what Rodney was going to say next.

"And if you need me to go with you-"

"And if you need me to go with you-"

I grinned at his shocked expression, stuffing my mouth more.

"You know me too well..."

"And I'm glad I do," I responded immediately, feeling grateful. "Thank you so much, Rodney. Really."

"You have no reason to thank me. It's all for Velma."

It is all for Velma. Every single thing is just as it should be. I slouched against the chair, letting my hands fall limply to my sides. Maybe today was a good day after all.

*

Like an academic building filled with hundreds of kids should be, the noise from the corridors wasn't exactly friendly, but it was a situation I was used to. I'd dropped Velma in her new class after she'd aced the assessment test. Luckily, she even made a new friend instantly. I'd never been happier.

Her homeroom teacher followed me on my way out, and we discussed more about her. Mrs. Estelle was everything I'd need in a teacher, judging from the way she appeared and spoke.

I sincerely hoped I wouldn't have a reason to doubt her eventually. She spoke praises of Velma's cognitive skills and how she'd not hesitate to inform me if she thinks Velma should be moved to a higher class after more assessment.

I wouldn't want that, though, as I needed Velma to grow at a normal pace, but I merely agreed since it was just an idea. I was about to leave when Mrs. Estelle called me back.

"There will be a museum tour tomorrow. It's an exhibit, and I know Velma had only just joined us, but I'd like for her not to miss it, especially with that sharp mind of hers."

It required contemplation, but was also a perfect opportunity for Velma to mingle. "That's great! I'd love that for her."

We exchanged brief goodbyes, and I headed to my car. I'd barely opened it when my phone vibrated in my coat pocket, and I fished it out. I clicked it on, and the first article that greeted me was one I never would have expected.

GRANDDAUGHTER OF BUSINESS MOGUL AND NEW CEO OF JENKINS LTD'S BIZARRE LOVE SCANDAL OF SEVEN YEARS AGO.

And right under it were photos of me and Carl on that very bed that I had no idea how I got to.

Worthy to take over or not?

The question sat boldly at the end of the article. My body grew limp, and I slammed against the car door, battling my nerves. "No. Not again!"