CEO Leo’s Baby Mama Is Back

Chapter 48 His debt

MILLER’S HOME, LOS ANGELES

Staring at the screen of her phone, Emma exhaled tiredly. From the way things appear, she and Darby might never be able to see eye to eye till the end of both their lives. She had thought it wouldn’t take long for Darby to accept her apology, but it’s obvious her daughter is not so little anymore, she has grown into a woman who knows how and when to respond to situations on her accord.

Sniffing back the tears that rolled down her face, she leaned further into the couch while glancing around the room. Noah’s home had one time provided her with comfort, now it only feels like bondage. Everywhere she went to get a job they all can’t allow her because she appears too old. It would have been sensible to apply for the role of a nanny, but Emma doesn’t trust herself to be able to care for somebody’s else’s child when she couldn’t even look after her very own properly.

Even if she has to sweep the entire road of LA, all she desires is an escape. Her phone rang jolting her out of her thoughts. The phone had blared out so sudden that she almost tripped off the couch. Getting a hold of herself, Emma stared at the contact it had no name. Answering the call gingerly, her heart paced as she hoped fervently that it would be Darby.

“Emma.” Maureen’s familiar voice bellowed from the other end.

Emma sat up in a hurry as her heavy heart felt relieved at the voice. Despite being Noah’s biological sister, Maureen seem to have the penchant of addressing the truth without being bias. She was the only one who didn’t judge Emma over the birth of Darby and she didn’t hesitate to love the girl like she would love any other niece of hers.

“How are you, Maureen?” She asked with a smile.

There was a brief movement at the background, then she paused before clearing her throat. “What in the world have you been doing, Emma? Why would you allow Noah take out the document of our parents country home to sell?” Maureen queried.

“What!” Emma exclaimed.

“Oh, it’s obvious you didn’t know. What was I expecting? That man is so useless, I hate that he is my brother. If I had known you sooner before you got married to him, I would have warned you off him. He is such a pest. I only got to know about the deal because the caretaker in charge of the house called me. Luckily, he can’t solely sell the house as our parents had given both of us a right over it. What the hell has he been up to? Has he been gambling again?” She rambled obviously upset.

“I have no idea what he has been up to, Maureen. I am more of a prisoner here and it would have been better if my daughter didn’t chose to gang up against me with him.”

“This is all your fault, Emma. I warned you to stop trying so hard to please, Noah. You went as far as condemning poor Darby just to make him feel good. Now if I might ask, what good has that done to you? Also, I still haven’t heard from Darby. I had thought if she was having trouble I would be the first person she would contact. My fortune-teller says she is alive and well. Has she not been found yet?”

Emma shut her eyes tightly as the tears formed again. “She is hale and hearty, Maureen. Your fortune teller is very correct. She lives here in LA running a luxurious fashion house now.”

Maureen gasped into the receiver. “My Darby is doing fine for herself? Oh my goodness! I am so glad she survived all the trouble that could have gone her way. That is what matters the most, her being fine. I can finally feel at ease now.” She said her voice obviously beaming of happiness.

Emma contemplated on telling her the situation of things with Darby and what Noah plans on doing but she didn’t get the chance as the front door rattled open.

“I will talk to you later, Maureen. Bye.” She whispered in a rush before hanging up.

Abigail had a curious look on her face as she closed the door while observing her mother’s countenance. “Why do you look like you just escaped being caught?”

“Have you really lost every manner that you possess? You question me when you haven’t even done the right thing by acknowledging my presence.” Her mother retorted, eyeballing her.

They got distracted when the door opened abruptly and Abigail was almost slammed to the wall as she was still standing by the door. An angry looking Noah cursed loudly as he paced around the room. He stormed into the kitchen to grab the last can of beer he had in the fridge and gulped it down hungrily.

“Ouch! Dad you almost broke my rib.” Abigail whined as she rubbed at the affected area. “Why are you so worked up anyway?”

Emma already knew what the trouble was and she didn’t bother to ask him what the matter was.

“That bitch! That sneaky bitch, Maureen! She had better not let me set my eyes on her or I would kill her off in one snap.” He growled almost choking on the beer poured into his mouth.

“What is your deal with aunt Maureen this time around? I thought you both are no longer on talking terms for a long while now?” His daughter asked with both hands on her waist.

“You! It’s all your fault!” Noah gritted pointing at Emma. “All I want is a surmountable amount of cash to clear off my debt but that bitch Maureen has prevented me from selling the only place that I could sell quickly. Fuck my parents for thinking it’s okay to give both male and female child equal access to their inheritance! And if this idiot…” He referred to Emma. “If you had convinced your godforsaken daughter enough, I won’t have to be humiliated this way.”

“You had better think again if you think I have anything doing with the situation you have found yourself.” Emma retorted, “you should be ashamed of yourself for wanting to loathe off someone else.”

“How dare you!” He growled like a beast making a move to hit her. Emma cowered into the couch expecting the blow to land.

“Get the fuck out, dad!” Abigail yelled, pushing him to the couch away from her mother. “What sort of dysfunctional home is this? I have always listened to you plummeting her and now you want to hit her in front of me? Where the hell is your manners?”

Sitting up straight, Noah glared at her. “What right do you have to talk to me like that, bitch! And how was the place you went to?! You all seem to be useless to me at this point!”

“I will tell you only if you let me in on what is happening right now. And why do you want to sell your inheritance? Are you in that much debt?” Abigail kept asking.

Noah laughed hysterically. “You are only just a child. I’m the parent here, why do you think I will ever let you in on such information? Just do what I ask of you and you get your cut. This isn’t a father daughter transaction. It’s a business deal between consenting partners. When you get me the money by every means, I will sit you down then and tell you all about it.” He kissed his teeth before stumbling his way upstairs.

It took Emma a long minute to recover from the shock of almost being hit. “What just happened? And what does he mean by a business deal?” She inquired.

Abigail stared her down in contempt. “You should be glad I saved your bloody ass. Even though I partially hate his guts, he was right about one thing. All of this mess is your fault!” She yelled following in the same direction like her father.

Blinking slowly, Emma wrapped her arms around herself suddenly feeling cold. The tears she had intentionally held back flowed without restraint. It’s no doubt her fault for putting up with so much shit for so long.

*****************************

ROBIN’S MOTORS COMPANY, LOS ANGELES.

Leo smacked his lips as he analyzed the documents in his hand, their new partnership seem to be earning them a whole lot of money that he never would have imagined. Kingston seem to be more than he had imagined, his creative thinking has raked in more profit. He also had himself to thank for not shunning his secretary’s idea off.

Smiling to himself in satisfaction, his eyes darted towards the mini calendar on his table. Staring hard at the circled number, Leo’s heart thumped hard. It’s just ten days away. Ten days to his doomed forever, he can almost feel how miserable he would become. At the same time, he tries to assure himself that the negative thoughts is just his subconscious playing a silly trick on him.

Chloe is an amazing person, even though she might have too many flaws. It’s not so bad and out of control. The only problem he seems to have is being able to keep up the lie he has been telling himself for the past two years. Leo thought speaking a piece of his mind to his mother would put him at ease, however, he was terribly mistaken. He only felt more guilt than before. She also seems disinterested in settling scores with him.

Leaning into the chair in frustration, Leo exhaled slowly. As much as he tries to see a different light to his life, it appears he is deeply roped in the spider web. The only promising happiness in his life is, Sinclair. A bright smile that had his face colored in delight appeared on his face. His ‘Mini Me’, makes his world lighten up like the sky when the rainbow appears.

Sinclair is everything one would wish for in a child, smart, friendly and less fussy unless he is trying to sleep. The last time he had spent the night at his house, Sinclair as little as he was had cracked them up so bad they had to hold their bellies to keep still. He didn’t look bothered that he was away from his mother, leaving Leo to worry less about his child ever loving him. Even though it has only been almost a month since they got together, it has been like they have been together since his very birth.

Leo still regrets not being there when he took his first step and when he said his first word. Grinning at the thought that popped into his head, he picked up his phone to make a call but soon thought against it when he checked the time and realized Sinclair would still be at school. He would have to send him some candies later todaysince he wouldn’t be chanced to see him.

The table phone rang calling his attention, he picked it up. ‘Yes.’

Kingston coughed lightly. ‘Sir, there is a Miss Grace at the reception seeking to meet with you.’

Leo hummed, surprised that his mother actually came for him. She had never visited since he took charge of the company. ‘Alright, that’s my mother let her in.’

‘Yes sir.’ He replied before hanging up.

Waiting anxiously, Leo’s eyes was glued to the door. He hoped she isn’t coming to throw tantrums and would do otherwise. However, if there is one thing he has learnt over the years about his mother, it’s that she is very unpredictable. He won’t be surprised if she came to rant about an actor she wishes to wipe off the face of the earth. His heart pulsated as the door opened filling up the room with her familiar lavender scent.

“Oh, my goodness. It’s such a hassle coming around a place like this.” Grace whined relaxing herself into one of the couches arranged in the office.

“Hello to you too, mom.” Leo said with less enthusiasm from where he sat. He should have known nothing would come out of her visit. He had gotten excited over nothing.

“Hey, baby. I was having lunch around here so I thought to rest up a bit.” She said not meeting his eyes. She seem to be searching for something in her less loaded bag.

Leo didn’t need to be told that she is all but seeking for a means of distraction nothing more. He knows her too much to fall for such tricks. Joining her, he sat in front of her.

“I want to believe there is a thin line of lie in your reason for being here. And that bag you are searching is just you taking your time. Why are you here mom?”

Grace huffed out tiredly. “Fine! I should have known nothing goes past you. Leo.” She began, intertwining her fingers. “I am sorry about the other day, son. I guess I overreacted and it was wrong of me to act like that when I am about to meet my grandson.”

He stared at her unblinking as he tried to think of the most adequate response to give her. He exhaled. He smiled weakly. “It’s okay, mom. I shouldn’t have come so hard at you either.”

Watching him closely, Grace sighed. She knows he deserves more than the half apology but she doesn’t think what she has done so far is wrong. Grace believes it’s too early for him to understand just how hard she is working to protect his future.

“Leo, baby, I want you to know that I love you very much and everything I do, I do it for you, honey. Life isn’t as easy as you think it is. I want the very best for you and now that you have a son I am sure you would start thinking from my own perspective.”

He groaned inwardly, blaming himself for ever bothering to understand whatever might be going on in his delightful mother’s head. Leo nodded. “No problem, mom. I would like to go back to work now, please. I have a lot to do.”

“You work too hard. I hope you haven’t been skipping meals.” She sounded really concerned.

“No, mom.” Leo responded as he returned to his work desk. Leo could tell she has something more to say. “What is it, mom?”

She chuckled awkwardly. “The thing is, I am throwing a party this weekend…”

“What are you celebrating?” He chipped in.

Grace cut him a stiff glare. “Don’t interrupt me young man, I was just about to give you the complete sentence when you cut in.” Sitting upright, she cleared her throat. “It’s just a family themed party, Chloe’s parents will be invited. Your wedding is coming up in the next few days so I would like to set the mood. You should bring your son along. Actually, it’s a must you bring him with you. And I would like to meet his mother too.”

“She won’t come.” He responded sharply. “My son can come with me but don’t expect to see the mother. I really can’t deal with too many dramas at this point please.”

“Is this because of Chloe? Haven’t they met? She shouldn’t be bothered since you both are getting married.”

“You are one to talk, mom. Do you know what Chloe did when she learned that the mother of my child was someone familiar? Please don’t get me started. I would come with Sinclair and that is final. Please ma’am, if you don’t have anything else to say I will like to be alone.”

“Always so distant.” She muttered under her breath as she stood up. “Do take care. And try eating please. You look too lean for your own good.” Grace said as she walked out of the office.

After she left, Leo let out a loud sigh of relief. It didn’t go bad at least he was able to control himself in the most gentlemanly approach. His mother is more of a pain in the neck than anyone he has ever known. Returning his attention to work, he tried to concentrate but his attention kept diverting. Cursing under his breath, he stood up abruptly. He might as well take to his mother’s advice and eat lunch.Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.

As if on cue, his belly growled hungrily in response. Food might be what he really needs.