The Billionaire’s Creed

MYKEL

“You should have protected your dick if you don’t want to deal with the consequences. She just lost her family because of your dick, asshole. Say something like that again to anyone, I swear to you. You won’t only get a slap. I will make sure you won’t be able to talk again.”

“What’s your deal with-”

“Lyra. Her name is Lyra, dickhead. Let me tell you, Lyra is under Hartford and Creed’s protection now. From today onward, you and your face won’t ever look or talk to her ever again. The kid she’s carrying is hers alone. If I ever hear or even hear a rumor that you want to claim the kid as yours, I will make sure to tie you in any heinous crime in the city. Do you fucking understand me?”

“Yes.” He cowered down.

“Good.” I pulled the envelope from my jacket. I took the folded paper and gave it to him. “I want you to sign this agreement that you understand anything in this paper and don’t want anything to do with Lyra’s baby.”

“What if I change my mind that I wanna see the kid?”

“I will make sure you won’t get another job anywhere in the US. Right now, I can spread your name on social media that you have STDs. How about that?”

“Okay. I will sign.” He was shaking as he took his pen and signed the document. That served him right for being a jerk.

“We’re done here.” I stood from the chair.

“Mr. Creed, you’re not gonna spread that I have STD, right?”

I shook in disbelief. I went to Sax and Kye, and I found the woman Liam was dating flirting with Sax.

“Hey, Mr. Creed.”

“You should be careful with guys you’re dating. You know Liam over there? He has Chlamydia.”

“Ew! Really?”

“Go ahead, ask yourself.”

Sax and Kye tried hard not to laugh their asses out loud.

“Let’s get out of here, gents.”

My next stop was not a part of the plan. I looked at the townhouse outside the car window. It was decent, much better than the apartment while I was growing up.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“I’d like to go alone with this one.” I stopped Sax about to open his mouth to object. “I’m going alone.”

“If you say so, boss.” Kye had to agree as if I would give him a choice.

Lyra would hate me for doing this, and so as my father. After a doorbell, it swung open.

“Can I help you?” the man in glasses, a little older than my father, asked before he inspected me from head to toe.

“I’m looking for Elonzo Marquez.”

“I’m Elonzo Marquez. May I know what this is all about?” He stayed behind the door, his hand on the doorknob.

I understand his skepticism. I would feel the same if a stranger knocked on his door asking for him.

“I’m sorry.” I held out my hand. “I’m Mykel Creed. I happen to know your daughter, Lyra.”

“I see,” he monotonically said as he shook my hand.

“May I talk to you and your wife, please?” If I had been rude to the sperm donor earlier, I would beg if I could do it just for Lyra to get her peace. Mom had struggled for a long time. It was unfair. I couldn’t watch Lyra suffer the consequences of her actions if there was something I could do.

He opened the door wide, stepping aside. “Is she okay?” This deep sorrow in his tone made me feel like I could get into him.

“She’s fine.”

“Have a seat.” He welcomed me to his humble home. “Are you her employer?”

“No, sir.” I sat on his colorful sofa. I noticed a handwoven rug on the floor.

“Let me call my wife.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I let my eyes wander around as I waited for them to come back. My phone vibrated in my suit pocket. It was a message from Sax, asking if I was okay.

MYKEL: I’m fine.

SAX: You know the drill, boss.

MYKEL: I know. Now stop texting me.

I slipped my phone back. Lyra’s parents walked in. I rose from my seat to greet Lyra’s mother, reaching out for a handshake. “Mrs. Marquez.”

They were polite people. After our pleasantries, they sat across mine.

“I apologize for this visit. Your daughter doesn’t have any idea why I am here. Her employer is my father, Dru Hartford.”

“Is my daughter okay, Mr. Creed?” the wife, Paula, asked.

“Yes, Mrs. Marquez. Please call me, Mykel. I’m here on behalf of Lyra and my father.”

“What’s your father have to do with this?” Elonzo’s voice raised a little.

“Look, I came here in peace. I’ve hated my father for a long time. He abandoned my mother and me when I was just a boy. Walking down memory lane is not something I often do because it’s unpleasant for me. But it’s been years. I can hate him for the rest of his remaining life, but he did something that made me consider giving him a chance. He helped your pregnant daughter when Lyra was struggling from losing her main source of support.”

“Is that why she chose your old man?”

“So, you’ve heard?”

They shared a look.

“You may not like it, but my father cared so much for your daughter. He made a lot of mistakes, but I can feel that this time is genuine. My father can, I’m sorry to bring this up, but he has money and can choose a single young woman if he likes, but he helps your daughter, gives her shelter, and is about to raise another man’s son. Lyra is a wonderful woman, and I am here to ask you to give her another chance.”

Elonzo cleared his throat. “What we said was out of anger.”

“Your pride, Elonzo. We’re not in Colombia anymore. She made mistakes, and so as a lot of young women out there.”

“It’s not too late. I’m sure she’s gonna be thrilled to see both of you. She didn’t come here because she didn’t wanna hurt her parents. I know what’s like to be a disappointment.” Okay, the last part? I made that up, but Lyra would thank me later.

“The man who-”

“Oh, I made sure he won’t bother Lyra again, or else he will see the wrath of Hartford, Kross, and Creed.”

They shared that look again before Elonzo spoke. “Are you married, Mykel?”

“Happily.”

“We just wanted what’s best for our daughter.”

“Trust me, your daughter and soon-to-be your granddaughter are in good hands. My father will do everything he can to protect and give them the best in life.”

“A granddaughter?” Tears filled Paula’s eyes, her hands covering her mouth as she tried to hold her cry.

“Yes, Paula.”

“Thank you, Mykel. Your wife is lucky to have you.”

“It’s actually the other way around.”

***

Adley and I decided to have dinner at my father’s house. The food was delicious. After dinner, we spent four together in the living room. It was a pleasant evening.

“You two should get married.”

Adley gave me that look that I should mind my own business.

“Actually, we are getting married,” my father announced.

“What? Really?” Adley’s eyes widened in shock.

Lyra finally fished her ring from her pocket and showed it to us.

“Oh, my God! Congratulations!” Adley was already on her feet, crossing toward Lyra.

“Dad, congratulations!” I hugged my father. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you, son.”

I went to Lyra to congratulate her. “Welcome to the family, Lyra. We need to tell my father.”

“Thanks.”

I pulled Adley beside me and kissed her. “I love you, Mrs. Creed.”

The way she smiled at me, she didn’t have to say it back. “I can’t still believe how I fell for your looks and charm.”

I laughed. “Just the looks, huh? How about my talent, the size-”

“Shut up.” She pressed a finger to my lips.

“Um, Dru, I have to tell you something,” Lyra started as she held my father’s hand.

“Of course. Anything.”

“I went to see-”

“Dad.” I pulled the envelope from my suit and raised my hand. “I went to shut up her ex. Sorry, but I’m not sorry for slapping him. That guy is an ass-”

“Mykel,” my father chided me.

“You what did now?” my wife asked.

“He deserved it.” I gave my father the signed papers. “He can’t get to your daughter even if he buys his own lawyers.”

My father read the document.

“I don’t want you both to live with worries of him coming after your daughter.”

“Thank you.” He then turned to his fiancee. “Why you didn’t come to me?”

“I feel like Mykel can intimidate him more.”

“Don’t I look intimidating?”

“Dad, hell no.”

Adley and Lyra shook to laugh.

“You both stop laughing. Lyra will be in labor in no time.”