by a dagmara
“Oh, how I hoped you would come.” He offered in a shaky voice.
“I would have been here sooner had I not been precisely where you lay now.” I lifted up from him as his eyes trapped me for a moment. It was his eyes and the way he looked deep into mine. He looked at me the way Charlie had however, his eyes carried a hope not longing.
“You have so much of Henry, yet you remind me of your mother.” There was something about the way he referenced my mother, that always had me asking if he loved her?
“Funny, how that happens.” I sat down on the bed next to him still holding firm on the bear.
“I have always envied Henry…for you’re a daughter I would have always wanted. And don’t be coy. I‘ve been keeping tabs on you since your father’s passing. I know what you have succeeded to accomplish and what you still plan for.”
“You’ve known all this time?” panic seemed to surge thru me…everything for not.
“Oh, child need not worry…I’ve said nothing to …well to those bastards of mine. I’ve rather enjoyed the show. It amazes me how both my sons have been this arrogant not to see…but then again it is a testament to your brilliance.” His smile was genuine and full of amusement.
“Not what I would have expected of you?” a raised a brow smiling at him.
“Oh my dear …see your father and I were much like my sons…always besting the other. We made so many plays in business.” He paused breathing deep and slow. “I miss that man.”
“I miss him too…hell I even miss you.” I offered, lowering my gaze to the floor. His hand came up shaky and cupped my cheek.
“It’s been hard keeping my distance…but I knew if I made an appearance in your life my two boys would have as well.”
“Well it seems they have already made their appearance in my life, yet I do have to admit under false pretenses.” I smiled and raised my expression and shoulders.
“So, I’ve heard…The lovely Lillian Holt. Whose brief presence has had quite the effect on them? As I always suspected you would. I had hoped that one day they would prove worthy of you. Henry and I had once even discussed what a merger that would have been. But sadly, neither one of my son’s has proven such.”
“I suppose not.” I lowered my expression as I felt my tears pool
“Why so sad Lilly?”
“I’m not sure what to do next. So much has changed Uncle Scotty…so much. I lost three months to a coma, because some deranged psycho tried to kill me. Moreover, dealing with the upcoming take over; I just don’t care anymore. Hell, there’s nothing left for them to take over.” I shook my head and my tears fell.
“Sure there is …they are getting what they deserve…I must confess brilliantly played Lilly…bloody brilliant!”
Shaking my head, I laughed thru the tears… “No wonder I am the way I am…between you and my father …my role models. I swear, I was doomed from the start to be just like you two.”
“No Lilly, you are so much more. You are like your mother and to her credit,…you are a fine woman Lilly. Truly a rare flower.”
“Thank you for that” I leaned in and placed my head in his chest. His hand wrapped me there.
“For truth...don’t thank me. So tell me what truly has you this emotional?”
“I’m a woman…it my curse.” I laughed.
“But you are an exquisite woman. I have always thought of you as a daughter and to hear you call me Uncle Scotty once more is pure euphoria my dear.”
Up from him…I knew I owed him this one truth. I moved the bear from my grip and placed it on the foot of the bed. I stood and took my jacket off. I knew the jacket was the only thing hiding my growing womb. Turning to him, I reached for his hand, as his eyes were wide in shock.
I placed his hand on my belly and raised my eyes to his.
“You are having a granddaughter.” I watched as shock turned to surprise, to tears.
“My granddaughter?” he dropped his gaze to my belly then rose back to me. “Mine?”
“Yes…though not planned and completely by mistake…the coma…” I shook my head “I was shocked when I found out…I suppose I still am. It’s only been four days since the news of her and at first, I didn’t want her. Now she is my purpose, my chance.”
“So which one is the father?”
In part, I felt the urge to lower my head in shame…his words floated thru my mind…’they are not worthy of you’ and he was right, yet I allowed for this, and here I stood pregnant. “Your name sake…” Pausing, I shook my head and added, “He doesn’t know.”
“Perhaps, that is best my dear. As I said before, neither of them is worthy of you or your daughter.”
“Thank you for all your discretion where it concerns me.”
“Again, no need to thank me. My dear you just gave this old man the best gift life has to offer.” he smiled so genuinely.
I leaned down and kissed him on his cheek and the scent of his cologne hit me. It was his cologne that I had smelled, his cologne that was my favorite. It was now obvious. I loved Charlie’s cologne because he smelled just like his father.
“And what gift has she bestowed an old and miserable man such as yourself” Sebastian’s voice pierced my ears.
The voice sent chills up my spine and a tremble thru me.
“Yes, father, do tell.” Charlie’s demanding voice.
Shit, they were both here.
Sebastian and Charlie.
Yes, I had known all along. I knew Charlie was really Sebastian’s half-brother, as I knew the type of men they were. Both mothered by different women but raised from adolescences by Prescott.
I knew when I first met Charlie and I even knew of the takeover of the ad firm. There was nothing I had left unturned…I wanted revenge for their attempt on my father’s company. But getting involved with them was something that simply happened. Me being me; found it to be just another game to best them at.
Standing still, I wasn’t sure how this would play out…nor was I ready to confront them.
“How are you my bastard sons? And you need not concern yourself with my guest.” He looked to me and blinked “Charles, make yourself useful and see about getting me something to drink.”
“Sure just as soon as proper introductions are made. We wouldn’t want to be rude now”
“Yes, father do you plan to introduce us to your friend?” Sebastian chimed in sounding eager.
“But of course not. Neither of you are worth of such an introduction.” I reached my jacket and quickly put it on. He was giving me a chance to get out of this room. A chance I was intending on taking.
I leaned down and kissed him one last time.
“I love you Uncle Scotty.” I whispered
“As I love you my dear and always have. Take care of her.” His hand landed on my stomach one last time.
“I plan to.” I pulled up and was grateful that the two seemed to move on the opposite side of the bed.
Using my hair and what little there was to shield my face; I grabbed my bag and swiftly moved for the door. I could hear Charlie move, as I moved thru the door and started to make my way down the hall.
“Miss, please don’t go” he yelled from behind.
Without looking as if I was running, I kept an easy but steady pace walking past the nurse’s station. I nodded to the nurse from earlier. Looking at the elevators, I decided the stairs would do just fine. I knew he had given up as he asked the nurse for information regarding who I might be.
“Son of a bitch”, he yelled out to her telling him my real name.
Laughing, I could only imagine the conversation that would now be held in that hospital room.
I had no reservations about Prescott; he could have ousted me. Apparently, he’d been wise to all my plays of deception and yet he applauded them.
Why am I surprised? This was the sort of thing he and my father, would have done themselves.
The one thing that did confuse me, was if Prescott was not the initiator of the takeover, then what prom
pted it? Why were Charlie and Sebastian trying so hard to acquire my father’s company? Unless it was to prove a point to their father…that seemed like a very probable motive. The two were all about besting the other and more so their own father.
Driving thru the city my mind was on overload and debating all the reasons.
Brady’s office would be my next stop. He knew something and I needed to know what it was.
Parking on the street, I locked the car and made my way into his office.
Coming off the elevator, I walked past the secretary and nodded. I think at first, she was confused to whom I was, but quickly realized and let me go without question.
I knocked out of courtesy but still opened the door on my own accord.
Brady was on the phone and nodded to me as I sat down opposite of him.
After a few minutes of his legal talk to whomever he was speaking with, he hung up and pushed back into his chair. His expression seemed cool…however, I knew that look.
“What’s going on Brady” I looked to him seriously
Letting out a long and tempered breath He pulled out some legal papers shaking his head at them.
“Sebastian Vaihn is seeking a paternity test along with a request of guardianship of your unborn child.”
“What?!!!!” I rose to my feet “Are you fucking kidding…please tell me you’re kidding?”
“He must have found out about the pregnancy…these papers and request were filed a month ago. He is requesting guardianship under the pretense that you are incapable of caring for the child sited under medical conditions. More to the point because he believes you to stay in a coma.” Shaking his head, he stood up and walked to me.
My body trembled with anger…no I was boiling with it.
“Lilly, now that your awake he has no claim. I’ve filed an injunction to his guardian request. The paternity request may be a bit more difficult and beyond sighting the risk to the pregnancy is the only thing that may work to hold it off.”
“That fucking son of a bitch…I had sex with him once…once damn it. With a condom…” I looked to Brady and my rage was growing. Looking down to his desk, I saw that there was on copy addressed to me regarding his petition for paternity. I reached over and grabbed it.
“I’m gonna take care of this fucker once and for all!” I walked towards the door and noticed the steal baseball bat. I swiftly grabbed and opened his door.
“What are you planning Lilly!” Brady yelled stomping over to me.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt him, but he will hear my point loud and clear.” Forcing my way from his office, I turned and glared at him. He knew not to come close when I was this angry.
“Lilly calm yourself…I advise you against whatever you plan on.” He shook his head in worry.
“At last check I still own the property and office building he works out of. I can make whatever point I choose.”
“He’s not risking her life, nor will either of them take her from me.” I spit out and left the office.
Running down to my car, I was pissed. Blinded in anger, I drove from the city and to my old ad firm. Confirming with Sam that he was there, she had said Sebastian, had just walked in and in his office.
Pulling up to the building, I didn’t bother with parking. I drove my range right up to the front door. I stepped out after I turned the car off. Peter stood shocked yelling for me to move the car.
Until he recognized me.
“Lillian?” He yelled in shock.
“Peter…make sure no one gets near my car. I won’t be long.”
“Lillian, you can’t leave your car here?”
“Why not? I own the building; I can park my car anywhere I wish. Hell, you’re lucky I didn’t pull it straight into the lobby.” I knew he notice the bat in my hands.
“Lillian, this is not wise.” His eyes skirted to my belly.
“Peter you have children do you not?”
“Yes” he nodded and his expression laced in caution. I think he was terrified, and he should be. He’s never seen me lose my shit like this.
“Then, I’m sure you can understand the instinct to protect them…I’m not going to hurt anyone. I’m just making my case known.”
“I understand Lillian, but do heed my words this is not smart.”
“Threatening my child’s life wasn’t smart either,” I walked past him to all the gawking eyes.
For once an elevator when you needed it. I entered pressing the top floor. Knowing that was where he was. Sam had told me he was in the conference room and I didn’t give a shit who was in there with him.
Stepping off the elevator, Sam was waiting for me.
“Lilly…whatever it is you think you’re doing…don’t do it”
“Sam! Walk away, right now and let me be.”
I stepped passed her and weaved my way to the double doors of the conference room.
A small little Asian girl stepped in front of me, yelling about a meeting and that I couldn’t go in until her eyes hit the bat. Nervously she walked away.
She looked to call security, but I knew Peter wasn’t too far behind.
“Let her pass Lisa…it will be ok.”
I opened the doors to a meeting of six people or more I didn’t care. My eyes landed on Sebastian as he was shocked looking to my bat and me.
One of the gentle men stood up “Miss this is a private meeting.”
“Yes your right it is. So get the fuck out!”
Tossing and flipping the back in one hand; I caught it and pointed at Sebastian. “You and I have some things to clear up. And you don’t speak until I’m done”
I heard everyone quickly gather their things and leave the room. Sebastian stayed seated and his expression unchanged.
Shocked…yes he was.
“My daughter is off limits…do you hear me? You call your lawyer and back off this ridiculous paternity test. Do you understand what risks are involved? I won’t let you harm her.” Lowering my bat, “She’s not yours Sebastian”
“Are you so sure?” his tone was flat “Who else could it be Lillian? Or should I call you by your real name Elizabeth?” his expression smug and arrogant, pulling at my rage.
“I don’t give a shit what you call me…but you will back off. I once told you can take everything from me; but you will never have me… my daughter is me. I don’t care about my father’s company take it…you clearly deserve it…but leave me the fuck alone. If you dare come near my daughter or me, I will bash your skull in. and I don’t make threats I don’t intend to keep Sebastian. I’m tired of all the fucked games you and your brother want to play. I’m not a chess piece nor will I allow my daughter to be one.”
“It was you at the hospital today with my father…” He shook his head. “Funny, I didn’t realize all this time who you were. You went to some lengths to conceal yourself. Hell, father did a damn good job to keep Charlie and me away from you all these years. I never understood. However, today in the hospital one thing rang true. When he said, we were unworthy of an introduction…that’s when I realized that you were Elizabeth Holtinbach. Charlie had come back cussing up a storm.” He grinned and shook his head.
I watched him rise to his feet and walk to the window. I caught another grin this one amused.
“Nice parking job.” He turned back to me “I like the blonde hair and the cut it suits you”
“I don’t give a shit what you like” my voice was laced with nothing but hate and anger.
“Still feisty I see”, he turned and put his hands in his pockets. “There was something so familiar about you that day in the basement and more so in the elevator we shared. I should have known then. I remember you when you were what fourteen fifteen? I watched you thru your father’s office window. I believe you were at the fence looking around to see if anyone was looking then quickly jumped on the horse bareback. You were captivating even then.” He paused and laughed, “Your father…you ran into his office all ecstatic. I remember he glared
to my father then to Charlie and me. He was swift to remove you from that office but I suspect it was due to Charlie and me being there. They both made a point that you would always be off limits to us. Perhaps your father was a very perceptive man. Either way you were too young then.”
“I don’t see your point of traveling down memory lane. I see no purpose in it.”
“I suppose you would not. And it doesn’t change the fact that Holtinbach Industries will be mine in a few days.”
“Like I said you can have it.”
The cologne assaulted me quick. Every hair on my neck stood and the chill ran thru me. I watched Sebastian as his expression was clearly telling he had noticed my little shift and uneasiness.
Slighting his head, he looked past me. “Charlie so good of you to drop by”
“Well, well what do we have here? I guess we finally get that introduction…Elizabeth.”
Unmoved; my eyes still on Sebastian, I grinned. There was no way for me to leave this time.
“I suppose it was your fine parking job out in front?” Charlie added.
“I own this property, along with this building and I will park where the fuck I please.” I turned to Charlie as his mouth and eyes were the look of a man who was in shock.
“What the bloody hell? You’re awake? And …” his words were failing him.
“Charlie let me introduce you to Elizabeth; or as we so affectionately have known her as Lillian.” Pausing something was finally registering, “Hold on; you own this building?”
“Yes, dumb ass…I own quite a bit of real estate. I take it you didn’t check when you bought the agency? Which by the way I let you buy? However, I didn’t understand why you would bother with such a small agency? Nonetheless, I could have stopped your take over, but thought it to be too interesting. I was curious to what type of men the two of you really were. Nevertheless, I do believe your father was right about the two of you. You have value in nothing and you acquire things like it’s a sport.” Trying to break my locked eyes with Charlie’s, I forced my body to turn slightly, and looked to Sebastian.
“When this takeover is done; I hope to never see the two of you again. Do not contact me in any form or I will slap you with a restraining order. Drop this ridiculous petition to the courts and let me be.” My emotions were flowing off me in strong currents of distain.
