So much for next week :( I really had a writer's block for this one lol
No POV
"-And you're sure?" Sky reiterated to the voice on the phone as he sat on the sofa in the penthouse living room.
"Yes sir," The man on the other line replied hastily, "The madam had not registered any name as the father under the birth certificate,"
Sky sighed, thanking the man before hanging up. He tossed his phone onto the coffee table of Brandon's penthouse suite and sat back on the sofa with an exasperated groan.
Albeit he felt awful for going behind Stella's back to his own investigation, the leads he keeps following become more and more suspicious towards the truth he had been dreading.
Sky doesn't play games. He knew Stella as his friend for years and he knew what kind of woman she was. Her heart beat for one person and one person only for the entirety of the relationship she had with his best friend.
There was no way Stella would cheat on Brandon, no matter what the fine print was. She loved him way too much.
But love and loyalty aside, that kid, her child. Nicholas Devigne looked every bit the spitting image of Brandon DeCaro. Right from the striking oak eyes to the structure of his face. The dirty blonde hair was the only thing that differed him from being Brandon's younger doppelgänger.
This ruse was so believable because of how alike those two looked. To the public, Nic really was Brandon's child. To Brandon, he was just a stand-in child that Stella had with another man, but Sky figured otherwise.
Stella was extremely adamant about Nicholas being known as Brandon's child. Every moment he ushered the truth, she denied it like her life depended on it. If what Sky suspected was the truth, then Stella had hidden the rightful heir to the DeCaro fortune for 4 years now, and if it weren't for Brandon finding her, neither Nic nor Brandon would've ever known about each other's existence for the rest of their lives.
What was the reason behind it?
Why would she not want to tell Brandon about his only child?
He knew that Brandon and Stella has a messy breakup, but he was never one to pry into detail. Aside from that, Brandon up and disappeared for months after they broke up, so he never really knew the timeline or what had even occurred for them to end.
Stella had not included a father's name in the birth registry, assuming Nic was born in Australia, she has every right by law not to include it if she so wishes. She said Nic's real father was not around, then why hide his identity on the birth certificate?
Unless Brandon was the father himself.
He needed to gather more evidence before addressing Stella herself. If he's not careful enough, it could put her and her child in danger.
"Can we go see mommy now?" A small voice cut into his thoughts as Sky flickered his ocean-blue eyes toward the small toddler standing in front of him. His big brown eyes were even larger as his top lip tucked behind his lower one to pout.
God he was such a cute kid, he definitely had Stella's personality that's for sure. Brandon was a concrete wall at this age, there was nothing cute about him.
"Sure buddy, have you finished all your cereal?" Sky asked, rubbing Nic's small shoulder. He nodded eagerly and Sky smiled, "Alright, let's get in the car,"
The trip to Brandon's Villa wasn't that long, it was just outside New York City, and considering the penthouse was in Manhattan, it wasn't too far off. Nic had been extremely energetic the entire ride, pointing out the window, tossing around his toys, and telling Sky stories that made no sense.
The moment he saw Stella, his attitude flipped into a complete mama's boy as he nuzzled in her warmth. Sky couldn't help the smile that tugged his lips at the sight of him feverishly telling his mom about his morning.
Definitely Stella's personality.
What surprised Sky the most was how attached he had gotten to Brandon DeCaro of all people. Personality wise Sky was definitely took the podium and he was naturally good with kids. Brandon despised children and he was not an easy man to get along with, even for adults, yet this little copy of him seemed to be thrilled in his presence.
"I wanna see the bal-comey!" Nic yelled eagerly as he gripped Brandon's index finger with his small fingers and bounced beside him. Brandon's lips curled into a smile as he led Nic up the stairs towards the open full-length windows that led to the balcony overlooking the garden.
Sky had never seen Brandon express any sort of liking towards anyone besides Stella in his life. After being polished as a DeCaro heir even as a kid, Brandon shut himself off from any sort of emotion. Even as his best friend, Sky found himself doing most of the talking, interacting, and plan making. Brandon hated everyone. He didn't care about anyone other than himself until Stella walked into his life.
Sky suddenly found his stoic best friend with a smile on his face whenever she was around and right now, it was the exact same smile he had with Stella's child.
"I can't see," Nic pouted, his shoes clashing against the concrete with his little jump as he placed his hands on the railing to see over it. Brandon's great-grandfather had built the villa decades ago to replicate the ancient roman architecture. It had been restored several times through each generation but it still remained a staple of the DeCaro family background ties to Italy.
A playful scoff escaped Brandon's mouth as he walked up to the brunette-blonde boy before placing his hands under his arms. In one fell swoop, he lifted Nic into his buff arms so that he could see clearly over the thick white balcony railing.
"Better?" Brandon asked playfully and Nic giggled in response.
The wind ruffled through the child's hair, making him laugh out loud as Brandon held him closer. Sky stood a few feet back, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched Brandon interact with Stella's son as if he were his own.
He just might be.
Nic gasped wondrously, string out into the sun peeking through the cloud. From where they stood on the balcony, you could see all that the DeCaro family owned in their Villa. Inherited over generations, this place was worth high-end millions, if it were ever sold, but once the company signs over, the villa comes with it.
Right now, its current owner was Brandon's father.
Soon it would be Brandon's.
"It's a pool!" Nic cried in joy, pointing to the body of crystal clear blue water that stretched out beside the decking. It may be an old building but the villa gets constantly renovated, making it a timeless piece, "I wanna go there!"
"After lunch okay?" Stella's gentle voice cut into his enthusiasm as Nic whipped his head excitedly back to the direction of the door where his mother stood. He wiggled out of Brandon's grip as soon as his feet touched the ground and he broke into a run.
"Mama look!" His arm wrapped around her leg and pointed back to where he ran from. Brandon stood by the balcony railing, hands tucked in his pocket as he watched this ball of energy bounce from one place to another.
"It's daddy," His small finger pointed right back in Brandon's direction.
Stella's POV
I felt myself run cold at Nic's words as he giggled, pointing back at Brandon. My heart pounded in my ears and I stood there feeling the blood drain from my head. Brandon's soft expression tilted to a confused frown and I could see the visible shock building on Sky's face too.
No, this can't be happening.
I struggled to get the words out of my mouth and all I could do was stand there feeling my body shut down on me. This can't be happening.
Nic was a smart boy, I figured he would realize it sooner than later despite Brandon's direct objections. He had suspected it in the tabloids back in Sydney and it was in due time he'd see it clearly when he saw his father in person.
My heart was pounding in my chest as the silence became more and more daunting. Had this ruse come to end? Was I about to lose it all?
No no, please, I can't have Brandon take him away from me.
Nic looked back at me with a big grin on his face and he pointed back again, this time his finger lifted higher, above Brandon's figure and I realise what he was trying to show me, "The sky," I whispered, feeling the relief flood me like water out of a broken damn.
"Yes!" He nodded beamingly and my body instantly relaxed.
I used to tell Nic that his father would be watching over us whenever the sky was clear and sunny. It had become a thing in Sydney since it was almost always clear and sunny back at the house. But in New York was harder to see a clear sky with buildings crowding every corner.
Brandon's balcony gave Nic a vivid view of the clear blue sky.
"Do you think he can see us too, mommy?" He asked poutingly and I crouched down to his height, pulling him into my arms. My eyes stole a glance at Brandon standing by the railing, a soft look on his face, a gentler one than what he usually wears as his eyes remained trained on Nic and me curiously.
I couldn't stop the smile that tugged at my lips, "Yes baby, I'm sure he can,"
He grinned at me, his little pearly teeth on full display, and wrapped his arms tighter around me. It made him content to know his father was watching over him and sometimes, I felt as if these moments he gets to spend with Brandon would be enough to give him that.
I hoisted Nic up and placed him on my hip and walked towards the balcony railing where Brandon stood. "What was that about?" He asked inquisitively and I cast my eyes confidently in his direction.
"He says that when he sees a clear sky," I replied quickly, trying not to make it sound suspicious that I had a mental shutdown when Nic said it.
Brandon nodded, a little unconvinced but in agreement nevertheless. "Will you be picking out your dress for the ball tonight?"
"I was going to wear the same one from yesterday," I pursed my lips looking down at the view Brandon's balcony gave while Nic excitedly darted his head about, "-if it hadn't ripped,"
"Go shopping and pick one out, Cara," He leaned against the white railing, arms crossed over his chest making his chest bulge out. My eyes traveled down for a moment, drinking in his appearance before quickly averting them when his gaze trained on me again, "I'll have Vince pick you your friend…Bloom," He exhaled bitterly and I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped my lips.
They've hated each other from the get-go.
Bloom despises rich playboys and I suppose she never really gave Brandon a chance, to begin with. She just tolerated him for my sake and Brandon doesn't really like being in the presence of anyone, especially someone as opinionated as my fiery best friend.
"I can't go with Nic, he doesn't like being in crowded places for very long," I told him earnestly. I wasn't in the mood to go pick out a dress, or even go to this charity dinner, to begin with, but public appearances as Brandon's wife were something I had agreed to.
"Sky can watch him," Brandon shot back and we both turned to look my Brandon's best friend standing by the balcony door, phone to his ear and attention elsewhere.
Sky's blue eyes flickered from being lost in the conversation to Brandon and me as we stared at him expectantly. His eyes widened when he realized what the topic of our discussion was, "Oh no! Not today, I have to deal with the DeliFoods issue you keep delaying," He objected sharply, narrowing his eyes at Brandon.
DeliFoods issue?
Brandon rolled his eyes coldly before flickering his oak-brown eyes to me again, "Where do you usually leave him when you have to go somewhere?" He quizzed curiously and I shifted my attention back to the view over the balcony.
"My mother does,"
He paused thoughtfully, "And when she's not around?"
"I guess Luc always steps in," I replied back absentmindedly and Nic gasped excitedly.
"Yay! Uncle Luc!" He cheered, wiggling his little legs while I held him to my hip. I smiled at his reaction, we had been so distracted with the move here that I forgot Nic hadn't had a moment to call Luc yet. "Can we please go see him, mommy?"
I smiled, "We'll give him a call in the afternoon, he's probably still sleeping," I recalled there being a 16-hour time difference between Sydney and New York so if it were close to 9:30 am right now, Luc would be out cold at 1 am back home.
Nic cheered at my response and I laughed. I hadn't even registered Brandon's silence until his body shifted to turn to me, arms still folded over his chest.
"Who's Luc?" He asked monotonously and I opened my mouth to respond but Nic beat me to it.
"The bestest person in the whole wide world!" He beamed, expanding his little hands to emphasize his declaration. Brandon's eyebrows furrowed in question and a look flashed across his face. Before Brandon could reply, Sky cut him off after seemingly getting off the phone with whoever he was it.
"Why don't you look after him, Brandon?" Sky suggested out of nowhere and both of us turned our gaze to his smirk. "Since you have nothing else to do,"
Brandon rolled his eyes again, "I run a multi-billionaire dollar hotel chain, I don't have 'nothing else to do'," He quoted annoyedly.
"Your morning is clear since the DeliFoods CEO is in San Fran, the meeting is pushed back," Sky shot back boldly and Brandon grimaced, "You wanna have a playdate with him, Nic?" Sky cooed playfully, pointing at Brandon as my son nodded vehemently, clapping his little hands together.
I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips. I had realized how fond of Brandon Nic seems to be growing, he doesn't usually jump at the chance to hang out with strangers. He's only ever this warm to Luc.
Brandon's emotionless eyes met mine and I quickly cast my eyes down, "I-Its fine, I just won't go-"
"Go get a dress Cara," He replied with a small sigh, "I'll look after Nic," I felt my heart tighten at his words and before I could get a response out, Nic burst out in cheerful yells as he wiggled out of my grip to run to Brandon.
"Nic!" I exclaimed as he wrapped his small chubby arms around Brandon's slack leg again, crinkling the fabric, "Are you sure you can look after him? He has to eat-"
"Yes, he has to eat lunch by 12 pm and take a nap by 1 pm, I read your schedule for him," He replied, hand on Nic's head as he ruffled his hair. I grew quiet at his words and stared at the floor. He had Nic's schedule committed to memory.
I wrote that yesterday morning and left it on the countertop for Sky in case something happened and we were late to come back. I didn't think Brandon had a chance to even glance at it much less have it memorised.
But then again, just glancing at it would be enough for Brandon DeCaro to memorize it.
"Okay…" I reluctantly replied.
"Bye, mama!" Nic squeaked, waving his small hand at me and my lips dissolved into a smile. He was so excited to be babysat by Brandon he didn't even mind being away from me. Despite his enthusiasm now, he gets antsy in a couple of hours when he hasn't seen me, so I didn't plan on leaving him for long.
"Vince should be out at front waiting for you," Brandon told me as I crouched down to give Nic a quick kiss goodbye. Nic beamed at me, giving me a hug before grabbing Brandon's hand like it was free real estate. I felt my heart get lighter at the idea of them spending time together, even without knowing it, Nic was hanging out with his father and maybe that would be enough for me.
"-and Cara," Brandon called out as I gazed at him over my shoulder, "Take this," He gestured, extending his hand out to me. My eyes wandered down his arm to the sleek black card sitting between his fingers.
Oh my god! is that -
"This one has no limit, so don't shy away from expenses," He told me nonchalantly as if he didn't just hand me like black Amex card. I stared at him flabbergasted as he gestured for me to take it. Sure Brandon and I dated for a bit and I knew he liked to spare no expenses but he's never blatantly given me his card to buy whatever I wanted, even as his girlfriend much less some fake wife.
"It's fine I'll just buy something with my own-"
His low words cut my rambling off short as he took my hand and pressed the cold titanium card against my palm, "Cara, you'll be under heavy scrutiny tonight - so pick any dress that would suit my wife, no matter the price,"
I felt my body stiffen at his words. Heavy scrutiny.
I was edging to know who exactly this charity ball was open to and who exactly I'll have to keep up this ruse for. But Brandon was right, I was playing the part of his wife and a billionaire's wife is always lavished in price tags.
Hesitantly I took the card and forced out a smile. Brandon's emotionless look dissolved into a soft smile at my cooperation and his eyes shifted down to Nic. "Alright, let's head to the office buddy,"
GUYS, I was literally rereading this stories from Chap 1 till 19 over the last few weeks and LORD I really EALed this shit T^T
I don't even understand some of the English written in this despite going to school for 8 years at the time EMBARRRRASSSING!
I need to rewrite it in proper English cos GIRL WHAT?!
Anyways, till next time, in prolly a few days cos I chucked from bad milk last night and your girl is not doing well in the stomach region ~purr cramps.
- Star :P