CEO Leo’s Baby Mama Is Back

Chapter 57 Best Pals

A FASHION BRAND HOUSE, LOS ANGELES.

Zac stared closely at the dress in front of him, it was missing something and he can’t seem to point at what it is exactly. His mind has been filled with too many unfiltered thoughts in the last few days. First Darby doesn’t talk to him and on the other hand is the neighbor he slept with. He finds himself yearning to know how Chloe might be doing. He had expected that she would call him, but it was a surprise when the next day after they had sex she appeared at his door with a bottle of wine. He shamelessly had passionate sex with her despite knowing she would be married in a few days.

The both of them seem to find each other irresistible. He hasn’t seen her since then and his nights have been plagued with the thoughts of her. But Zac tries to convince himself that the only woman for him is Darby and no one else. It was wrong that he is the one Chloe is cheating with. Darby would be so disappointed when she eventually find out which is why he has to keep his mouth shut about it and stay very far away from Chloe.

His mind raced hard when he thought of Darby, since their argument the both of them haven’t spoken since then. He feared calling her. Zac has seen Darby lose her cool once before and he has no intention to ignite such within her again. He is practically dying in silence, to cap it all his concentration has depleted and it was beginning to show in the works he has been doing.

Zac jumped out of his reverie at the sound of his phone. His breath hitched when he saw Darby’s name. He answered the call hurriedly.

‘Hey.’ He muttered.

‘I’m sorry to be calling in the middle of the day like this. I was just wondering if you wouldn’t mind grabbing a cup of coffee with me.’ Darby said.

Zac looked around him, it’s no like he was going to decline anyway. ‘Sure, I don’t have anything doing at the moment. Where should we meet?’

‘The coffee shop opposite your work building.’

‘Really, you are nearby?’

‘Yes.’

‘Okay, give me a minute. I will be with you shortly.’ He disconnected the call and rushed out of the showroom.

Darby was seated with her legs crossed at one of the empty table. She seem engrossed in whatever she was doing on her phone. He moved out of his building to the coffee shop.

Zac cleared his throat lightly when he got to the table. “Oh, hey. How are you doing?” She asked cheerfully when their eyes met. “Please sit. Will you like to order anything?”

“Not at all.” Zac said as he sat down. “Listen Darby, I just want to say I am sorry-”

Darby raised a hand to stop him. “No, I’m the one who owes you an apology. I shouldn’t have treated you like that, Zac. All you have ever done since I have known you is look out for me. You tutored and nurtured me without asking for anything in return. All you ever did was care endlessly for my son and I. I should have known you deciding to go behind my back to do something isn’t what you wished to do but you had to do it for my sake and I sincerely appreciate your effort. I will just like that you give me an heads up next time something like that happens.”

Zac sighed. “I am sorry, I should have consulted you for real. It’s not in my place to make such decisions on your behalf. And as regards the issue of Leo, please forgive me. I really crossed the line with that. I shouldn’t try to burden you with my feelings or guilt trip you. It’s all so wrong. Forgive me.”

She reached out for his hands on the table. “It’s fine, Zac. I just want to know for sure if we are cool.”

“We definitely are. I have missed you and Sinclair so much.”

“Sinclair has been having the best time of his life with his father. And a whole lot has happened within the past few days.”

“What happened?”

“I couldn’t tell you because of how angry I was. My mother doesn’t know anything about the money being collected and apparently she has been ill for a while now. But my dad neglected her and he wouldn’t even get her the required medication.”

“I am not surprised. He did seem like a controlling bastard.” Zac gritted. “I feel so stupid for giving such undeserving person a shot like that.”

Darby snorted. “He has always been undeserving from the very beginning but would be wrong of me to think otherwise. I just feel pitiful towards her, even though all of that still doesn’t justify the things she did to me.”

“You are a strong lady, Darby and I feel so fucking proud to have known you in this lifetime. I hope eventually you will be able to come to terms with my feelings for you.” He said, staring into her eyes.

She inhaled deeply, “I don’t know if we would ever get to that. But one thing I am quite sure of is the fact that I want to remain your best pal ever.”

He smiled. “Well, I guess that is unavoidable.”

“Have you been sleeping at all?” She observed. “Your eyes look very heavy.”

“Don’t mind me. I have been working extra time for days now. I guess that is taking a toll on me.”

“You should come by the house this weekend so that we can all eat together and have fun.”

“That would be nice. So, did your mom return to her husband’s house?”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“No, she is staying with my aunt. It would be a wrong decision if she goes back to that man after everything he did to her. She deserves to move on with her life without having him breath down her neck. I promised to check up on her from time to time.” Darby said.

Zac nodded with a proud look on his face. “You have grown so much Darby. It takes an actual matured mind to let go of the past and not let it define their present. You have done really well.”

“Thank you.” She grinned. “I got an invite to attend Leo’s wedding but I declined.”

“Why?”

“Even though it all seems fine, I know for certain that Chloe doesn’t want me anywhere around. I didn’t expect that her bridal train dresses would be made by me. I just don’t want to end up ruining her mood on the day cause she is to be the most happiest. I can’t do that to her. If only she doesn’t see me as a competition, it would have been better. But, I would rather stay home and sip margarita on my balcony while viewing the beautiful city of LA.”

Zac laughed heartily. “You are really something.”

“I just try my best to stay away from trouble, Zac. It feels like the right thing to do.”

“You are definitely right. There is no need for you to worry about anything. It will all fall in place eventually. Would you like to grab lunch with me?”

“I would be delighted. I haven’t had a decent meal in a long while.” She mused.

“Do me the honors then and be my lunch date.” Zac stood up, stretching out his hand to her.

“Yes sir.” She giggled wrapping her hand around his arm as they stepped out of the coffee shop. Everything felt normal again.

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

LEO’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.

Leo stared at the message on his phone and he felt his belly churn. Chloe had sent an apology text as regards the attitude she had put up few days back. Rather than appease him it only made him feel disgusted. He threw the phone to the couch and threw his head to the back. Nothing seems to be fine, it’s two days to his wedding and he finds himself having doubts about the lifetime commitment.

He has always been the one convincing everyone around him that he was making the right decision. Not just out of necessity but because it’s a means to protect everyone and not hurt anyone. However his argument with Chloe made things dawn on him the more and he was so close to calling off the wedding few days ago.

It’s driving him crazy that he had to get on with the wedding because of his conscience. The thought of spending most of his hours daily with Chloe made Leo scared. Chloe had exhibited a side of her that made him worried of what else she might be capable of doing. If she despises Sinclair, Leo would be subjected to disallowing his son from visiting which is the most absurd thing to do. Grabbing a fistful of his hair, Leo growled in frustration. The more he thinks about it, the more it makes no sense and only stresses him the more. The front door of the house opened letting in Aaron. For the first time in a long while, he felt relieved to see his annoying friend. He is a second close to losing his mind.

“Hey, groom. How are you grooming yourself for the D-Day?” Aaron muttered in his usual jesting tone.

Leo gulped, staring at his friend with the most pitiful eyes he could muster. “I feel like a fool, Aaron.” He broke down.

Taken aback at his reaction, Aaron sat next to him. “What’s going on with you, man?”

Leo sniffed, holding down his head with both hands. “It just feels so wrong. I shouldn’t be doing this, the closer the days gets the more I become really anxious.”

“Those are wedding jitters. Everybody gets them.”

“No, Aaron. This has nothing to do with wedding jitters. I want to leave and go farther away from here. I don’t think I want to do this.”

“Are you listening to yourself? It’s too late for you to back out now, Leo. You can’t do such a thing?”

He raised his head. “Why can’t I? Weren’t you the one always telling me to leave Chloe since I don’t truly love her. What changed your mind now?”

Aaron sighed heavily, he could see the desperation in Leo’s eyes and it made his heart clench. The last time he saw Leo like this was when his mother was in coma for days and he had blamed himself consistently.

“I wish I can tell you to do something as crazy as that now. I am sorry to admit this to you, you lost your chance already, Leo. You could have made up your mind then, but you were clear on your decision. If you leave her alone now, you won’t just be hurting her but yourself. You would never be able to forgive yourself. I can assure you this feelings will fade away soon. It’s just you thinking something is wrong.” He tried to sound convincing.

Throwing his head to the back, Leo groaned inwardly. He could feel it deep within him that he is about to make a grave mistake. However, Aaron is right after all. He had his chance and he never took it. Whatever he feels now doesn’t count anymore. Not when several dignitaries have been called to attend the wedding by his mom. He has never been a people pleaser but ending this is nothing short of suicide.

“Did you have some sort of argument with Chloe? Is this why you are suddenly doubtful?” His friend asked.

“Chloe doesn’t like my son. I am worried that she might cause a dispute between Darby and I and refuse me of my son’s presence.” Leo replied.

“You don’t expect Chloe to accept your child so easily. Not when she found out few weeks to your wedding. Give her time to adjust to the idea. I am sure she would learn to love the kid eventually.”

Leo snickered, “I’m surprised you are suddenly being defensive of Chloe.”

“Don’t get it wrong. My notion about her still hasn’t changed. I don’t just want you as my friend to do something stupid. Emotions are flimsy, it can change at anytime. You could have listened to me few months back when I kept resisting the relationship. If you held on till now it would be wrong of me to enable you do some something stupid. Anyway, I knew you would lock yourself up in here which is why I have come to take you clubbing.”

“What clubbing?”

“It’s a place where men and women get loose and enjoy their fucking youth.”

“I do know exactly what a club is. I am asking why I need to go with you?”

“Take it as your bachelor’s party. One last time to get loose and have all the fun you want.”

“I’m not having sex with a stranger.” He blurted.

Aaron wiggled his brows. “Why do I feel like that is the exact thing you want. Have you been sex starved?”

“Shut up!”

“It’s just a harmless question.”

“I should go change then. I know declining your request won’t stop you from budging me to death. So I would go with you.”

“That’s my man. I have always known you are very sensible.”

“You are so nuts!”

The both of them bickered at each other until Leo got dressed and they were out of the house. The club felt alien to Leo, it has been ages since he last stepped foot in such space and it made him feel quite uncomfortable. Aaron made himself comfortable the moment their VIP section was opened to them. He already sighted few ladies of interest and motioned for them to come. Leo sipped on his drink quietly ignoring the two ladies trying hard to get his attention.

“You would need to loosen up.” Aaron yelled above the noise.

Leo shook his head in refusal. “You told me to come and I agreed to. You won’t be forcing me to do anything I don’t want to here.” He insisted.

Kissing his teeth, Aaron turned away from him and continued with his fun. Leo eyes twitched a bit when he saw a familiar face in the VIP section next to them. He looked closely again but the blue and red light made it a bit hard to identify the face well. But he could swear with his life that the lady dancing was Darby. After a while, she stepped out of the place and headed towards the restroom. Curiosity gnawed at him, he dropped his drink and followed the same path she took.

He saw her get into the restroom and he waited outside the place. Leo checked his time and he realized that she seem to be taking too long there. It made him doubt if she really is the one he saw, but he knows for sure that his mind wouldn’t be at peace if he doesn’t try to confirm if it is really her or not. Looking around him, Leo inhaled deeply as he touched the door knob. Opening it, Darby was right in front of the mirror adjusting her dress.

She gasped in shock at the sight of him. “Leo?”