So a slightly short chapter but a bit more in detail than I used to write. It's been ages since I wrote this story and you could really tell the difference in my writing style, even tho I did do my best to make it as close to the original hehe. I'm sorry it has been so slow, I reread my own story, and it's a bit of a cringe, I don't know why so many people like it lol, it was a travesty full of spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.
I was put off by it for so long but the ending (or towards the ending) of this story was so damn spicy that I couldn't resist finishing it (eventually).
Stella's POV
Waking up the next morning was slightly strange. It had been almost 4 years since I had woken up anywhere else besides in my own home. Except, the soft sunshine seeping through the white curtains of the large floor-to-ceiling window still somehow felt familiar. It was like the days I had spent on my frequent trips out of the country when I used to be a designer. Waking up in a different hotel room every month.
I rubbed my eyes groggily, shielding my face from the glaring sunlight that was pouring in from all different directions of Brandon's penthouse room. Nic lay beside me, his mousy blonde hair tousled and a small bit of drool on the side of his mouth as he slept on Brandon's linen and silk sheets. It was awfully quiet and considering Brandon was almost forcing me to sleep in his room instead of with my own child I was sure he was going to make the same fuss this morning. But nothing.
Maybe he had already left for work?
Sitting up, I stared intently at my hands, trying to make sense of the situation I had gotten into. I understand this whole wife charade needs to be perfect but I couldn't bear to be afoot clear of him without my heart hammering at my ribcage, much less sleep in the same room. There was not a doubt in my mind that even after all these years, Brandon DeCaro still woke something inside me that I thought I'd never feel again. Every time I saw him, I felt as if a small flame of my passion for him had not yet gone out. I needed to get this over and done with before I go too far in. Not to mention how well he plays this facade too, I could feel myself feeling content when he held me close and referred to Nic as his own.
Funny how Brandon is playing the part of the father to his actual son without knowing.
My stomach churned at the thought of deceiving him like that, and most importantly, exposing Nic to people he was going to have nothing to do within a month or so. He doesn't seem to see Brandon anything more than a friend of mine that we were staying with for a while. He hasn't even started addressing Brandon with any sort of nickname or anything, to Nic, Brandon was just any other man. And considering how he addresses every elderly man on the street as his grandpa, I don't think it fazed him to have met Mr. DeCaro like that either.
He was barely 4, so it didn't surprise me that he didn't really understand blood relations yet.
I shifted my gaze from my hands to my small angel with brunette-blond hair asleep beside me. The covers tucked around him as he nuzzled his face into the white pillow, a small fist held close to his face as he lay asleep. I couldn't help but smile every time I saw his soft face. Nic was every bit Brandon, any fool was able to see it clearly, but since Brandon himself was in denial, everyone else around him was automatically blind to the obvious too. I'd hoped it would stay like that, just as long as this is over.
A soft smile tugged at my lips as I reached over, gently playing with Nic's tousled locks as he continued to be the embodiment of a heavy sleeper. As long as I can keep my distance from Brandon, everything will turn out fine. I was determined to make sure he gets the best life possible, there won't ever be a day in his life where he feels as though he lacks something-
"Good morning,"
I jumped slightly at the voice that broke my thoughts as I whipped my head around in shock. A fully suited Brandon DeCaro stood leaning against the threshold of the bedroom, his own tousled locks brushed back with a couple of loose strands gracing his forehead. He had one hand tucked into the pocket of his slacks as he continued to stare back at me but with a more calm and blank look. I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts, I didn't even hear him open the door!
"Brandon," I spoke his name breathlessly, regaining my right conscience before continuing, "You can't just come in like that," I scolded him in a harsh whisper, turning back to make sure he didn't wake Nic up. Thankfully the slight noise wasn't enough to wake him as he turned over in his sleep. Focussing my gaze back on Brandon with a glare, I carefully slid myself out of bed, walking towards him with all the confidence I had.
He raised his eyebrow in question as he watched me approach him, the same bored and blank look still on his face, "Why not? This is my house," He told me point blank making me narrow my eyes at him. By now I was right in front of him, gesturing him to leave the room so I can wash up and get changed in peace.
"Because," I told him as he took a step back so that he wasn't on my threshold anymore and I could successfully shut the door in his face, "What if I was changing or something?" I thought of an example at the top of my head so I'd have a valid reason for him to not enter the room so casually.
As soon as the words left my lips, a devilish smug look twitched on Brandon's expression as he leaned towards me. I watched in both confusion and curiosity as he flashed me that infamous smirk I had seen so many times during my relationship with him. "Oh, Cara, why are you acting like I haven't seen that before," He drawled slyly, gracing me with a chuckle.
My mouth fell agape simultaneous to the deep red blush that brewed on my cheeks while Brandon looked most accomplished with himself. Oh my god! I huffed at him in embarrassment before swinging the door shut in his smug riddled face. What a jerk! Thankfully Nic had just managed to stir in his sleep by continued snoring soundly despite the noise. This boy could very well sleep through a tornado even if it were to rip the roof off.
I sighed in relief as I turned my back to the door, gripping my shirt over my hammering heart. Squeezing my eyes shut, I took a deep breath, calming my nerves and banishing away the memories of the last few times he had seen me dressed with little to nothing. It's been 4 years! Why was he still affecting me?! On top of that, He needs to stop speaking to me so casually as if we're actually dating!
Gathering up the strength in my trembling knees, I walked towards the bathroom ensuite in my room. I just need a warm shower to think this through.
Brandon's POV
Seeing that absurdly shocked and choked-up expression on her face like that brought a dire sense of satisfaction to my face. The way her cheeks reddened so deeply and her eyes frantically gazed anywhere else but at mine as if she were a deer caught in headlights. I couldn't resist the satisfied smirk that graced my expression as I bought the cup of coffee up to my lips for a sip. There was just something about flustering Cara that made me feel some type of way.
I gazed out through the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked Manhattan's busiest street. Today was a slow morning considering I had guests over. I wasn't due back to head office for another few days, but I did have some press matters to deal with towards the end of the evening, not to mention the old geezer decided to debut my supposedly family to the world by telling people we'd be attending that charity function tomorrow night. I had to make sure Cara was prepared for that today.
My jaw ticked at the thought of that old bag pushing my buttons like that. He was cunning for sure, there was no other way he'd have managed to bring DeCaro Hotels from the ashes to the multi-billion-dollar chain it is today. He was testing me, to see if I hadn't just hired someone to pretend to be my wife so I could pull the wool over his eyes.
Unfortunately for him, I have the perfect person for the job.
Straightening out the newspaper in my grasp, I placed the coffee cup back on the glass table as I sat on the sofa viewing the morning sky. Stella was the ideal person for this, not only did we share history, but she also has a child who is a convincing age to reconcile with. Despite every piece falling into place for me, the idea of Stella having a child still didn't settle with me. Even though it's been 4 years since we broke up, there was just something about that child I couldn't quite decipher.
I'm sure she feels all kinds of trouble with the situation too with everything she was risking with her son and the press. But here I am with my ex-lover and the child that broke us apart pretending to be a happy family. Funny how the damn world works.
I shook my head trying not to get caught in the rabbit hole that was my relationship with her. As much as I despised her, it needed to be put aside. The child she had is none of my concern, neither is the man she had him with, and neither was she. This will all be over in a month and I wouldn't be seeing either of them again for the rest of my existence. Besides, how hard could it be playing the part of a dad?
"Mommy?"
My eyes averted immediately to the small dirty blonde-haired boy standing at the doorframe that led into Cara's room. His blue pajamas were unkempt with buttons undone, possibly from turning and moving in his sleep. He looked still half asleep with a yawn escaping his mouth and his hand rubbing his eye. Stretching his arms, he scanned the room, confirming no sign of Cara in the room. Judging by the sound of faint running water coming from behind him I was assuming Cara was taking a shower.
"What's up buddy?" I asked cautiously, looking at his confused and lost expression. He dropped his hand from his face and adjusted his vision to the room. Small children as so unperceptive it was ridiculous.
"Where's mama?" He asked me promptly upon registering my existence. He stared right at me with those big light brown eyes, it was hard to avert eye contact. No one people were so affectionate towards babies and small children.
"Mama's in the shower buddy," I told him, pointing behind him, gesturing to the sound of running water. He looked curious but still a little groggy as he continued staring at me. I had little to no experience with children, or a father to be frank. What the hell do I do with him? Is he going back to bed? Should I just hang out with him till Cara comes back?
"Okay," He nodded understandingly. I had expected him to take that as an answer and go back into the room to wait for Cara, but instead, he started walking slowly towards me. I raised an eyebrow, watching him make his way around the sofa in pursuit of where I was sitting. He was maybe 2 feet taller than the ground and stood in front of me as I continued staying seated on the leather couch.
His hands sprawled over the vacant seat on the sofa, struggling for a second to heft himself over and he adjusted himself to take a seat beside me. I stared at him incredulously as he shuffled over towards me, stretching his legs out as they hung over the sofa side. He gazed up at my figure, observing the way I was seated, one foot over the other knee, and mimicked before looking back at me in satisfaction.
What an amusing child.
I laughed, shaking my head at him and his personality that so closely aligned with Cara's. There was no denying he was definitely her child. The same goofy and playful personality resided in him, mirroring the woman I had once loved.
"I suppose you want some coffee and a newspaper too?" I asked him playfully as he beamed back at me in content. Shaking my head once more, I hefted myself off the couch as he watched me curiously. Folded the daily paper, I tossed it to the coffee table beside my empty cup of caffeine as gazed back at him.
"Stay here bud, I'll get you something for breakfast," I told him, standing over his small body as he twisted his legs back and forth. The kid just woke up, I wasn't sure what the next course of action should be besides to feed him. I'm not a paternal expert, but breakfast sounded like a good start. He nodded quickly and I assumed it was out of hunger. "What do you want to eat?"
"Um..." He pondered thoughtfully. "Cereal!"
I raised an eyebrow at him. Cereal? He could've ordered literally anything in the world, a 5-course meal with a medium-rare wagyu steak if he wanted to, and he went with a bowl of cereal. "Forget cereal. If you could eat anything in the world for breakfast right now, what would it be?"
He pondered for a bit more, gazing thoughtfully at my high ceiling before his eyes lit up in excitement, "Pancakes and ice cream?" he asked me cautiously as if he was afraid I'd turn him down.
A sincere smile graced my lips and I chuckled "Alright buddy, I'll get you pancakes and ice cream," His eyes sparkled like a 100-watt lightbulb had gone on, and clapped his hands enthusiastically. I couldn't help but feel a little accomplished. It had been nothing short of my first time getting someone this excited, much less a small version of Cara. It felt gratifying.
It had taken room service all of 10 minutes to cook a fresh batch of pancakes topped with ice cream and delivered to my door. Nic's face blew up in excitement as he hopped off the sofa he had been waiting patiently on and made a break for the room service tray the staff were spreading out onto the dining table.
"Is this for me?" He asked, bouncing in joy as he latched onto my leg. I gazed down at him, observing the way he held my leg as I stood by the kitchen watching the staff prepare. Usually, I wouldn't stand for anyone touching me much less some unkempt child, but there was something about this one that I didn't seem to mind.
"I mean, yeah, you asked for pancakes didn't you?"
He gasped yet again in excitement but continued to stay rooted beside me with his small hands crinkling the fabric of my slacks. Maybe I should remove him from my pants before he ruins the fabric, except I just didn't have the heart to. He looked beyond thrilled about the situation.
He gazed up at me, biting his lower lip, "Mommy doesn't like pancakes and ice cream for breakfast," He told me as the staff cleared away from the set-up table. I gestured him to go sit at the table, helping him up onto the higher seated chairs as he wiggled into position, his nose grazing the table's edge.
"That's fine, I'll order whatever Cara wants for her when she comes out," I told him, amused by the bewildered look on his face when I mentioned a second breakfast just for Cara. He was a tender age of 3 and a bit, money wasn't a concept to him, and neither was having a lot of it.
"Order what when I come out?"
I shifted my gaze to a confused Cara stepping out of her room. A damp towel was in her grip as she walked towards the kitchen in my open space penthouse. She wore a pale pink silk blouse complimenting her white jeans and black flats. She looked every bit as stunning as when I fell in love with her, except her curves seemed to have filled out even more due to having a child.
It was kind of hot.
I gazed away from her direction and back at the smaller version of her struggling to look over the table. "Get him a high chair," I told the staff that was patiently awaiting my next call of authority.
"Right away Mr. DeCaro," one of my staff chimed as they began leaving the room while some stayed to finish preparations on Nic's breakfast.
"Brandon, what's this?" Stella asked, her voice growing in warning as she neared the table spread of fresh pancakes, ice cream, and a variety of fruits and sweet assortments for toppings. The look in her eyes told me she wasn't pleased with the choice of food I had gotten for Nic.
"Breakfast," I told her flatly.
"You can't give him ice cream for breakfast!" She exclaimed in horror at the sight in front of her while her son looked beside himself with joy. He had already grabbed a piece of sterling silverware in his small hands, waving it around over the limited view of the table.
"What? Why not?" I cross-questioned, crossing my arms over my chest in confusion. He said he wanted pancakes, I got him his pancakes. I don't see the issue here.
"He's 3 Brandon!" The distress on her features was abundantly clear, as much as I didn't find a problem with giving a child sugar for breakfast, she clearly did. I took a step forward, taking her wrist before she could pick Nic off his seat. Her honey eyes immediately snapped to my grip on her, before gazing back to my face.
"Hey, it's okay," I told her gently, pulling her closer to me at a point to calm her down. I didn't know what came over me, the panic, the look in her eyes, and the concern she had made me react. I'd never seen her like this in all of the time I had dated her. She was different. She was mature but also...exhausted. "I'll clear anything too sweet off the table, okay?"
She looked defeated for a second and averted her eyes back to my grasp on her wrist. I immediately released her arm as she took a step away from the table. "Sorry, I just get really stressed when it comes to Nic," She admitted quietly, rubbing her arm awkwardly. This was new to me, I was so used to seeing her as the fierce and playful designer that she used to be, that was what I thought she would still be like. But the way she cares for her child, the way she gets stressed for him and does things in his best interest, was a new side of her that felt intriguing to me.
Sky had told me earlier that the only way he was able to convince her was to assure Nic's future. It made me think how much of a struggle she had been in, even if she did her best to look like everything was perfectly fine. "That's okay, he's your baby, you're allowed to worry for him," I assured her. But the way the sentence left my mouth, didn't feel right. Her baby.
That's right, she had a baby. A baby and life for the last 4 years. All the more reason not to get caught up in this for long.
aaaaanyways...see you next year! JKS i will try to update as soon as I can :)
