The Millionaire's Baby

4- Decision

"Ms. Greene, are you absolutely sure about this?" The man sitting across from me asked for the fifth time since this meeting began. "Once you send this, if he signs it, there's no turning back."

I looked him in the eye,"Mr. Walton, if things could be different, I would change them. This is what I feel is best for my child, I- I can't allow him to just come into our lives and leave when he pleases."

With tears in my eyes, I took a deep breath and signed the petition for full parental rights of my baby.
*
*
*
Alex's  POV

As I sat behind my desk, I wondered why I hadn't see Ari in over three weeks.

Normally the women that claimed to be pregnant by me would hound the building and eventually have to be escorted out by security.

I had no children, so needless to say all of those women lied.

When I receive accusations about impregnating a woman, the whole building goes on alert.

Three weeks had passed and I'd heard nothing.

This one was easier to get rid of than the others.

My thoughts were interrupted by my secretary Miranda, here to go over my schedule for the rest of the day. "Today you have a one o'clock, a three o'clock, and a four thirty. Oh and this was delivered for you." She said handing me a large brown envelope. "The delivery man said it was urgent, first class."

Oh this must be the proposal from Dander Corp. about the new project in Australia. I thought, immediately opening the package.

Termination of Parental Rights Petition and Contract.

"What the hell?"

As I read further I couldn't believe my eyes. Ariel.

"Is everything alright sir?" Miranda asked from the door way, noticing my mood change.

"No, just leave me right now please." I said to her not trying to be rude, nor trying to sound broken.

I guess she got the message because she left without another word.

Why would she send this?

Especially if she's lying.

As I read through it again, I got my lawyer on the phone.  "Reed, we have a situation meet me at the office around two."

*
*
*

"Is this legitimate Reed?" I asked perplexed, " I- I mean can she really do this?"

"I'm afraid so Mr. Wright, although I'm not really sure why she would want to," he admitted rubbing his slightly greying hair.

"The only reasons I can come up with is she's either calling your bluff, or it's really yours and she's just trying to avoid future conflict."

Just then the door opened. Miranda stood there, " Mr. Wright your meeting starts in fifteen minutes at Reghnington Headquarters."

I nodded my head at her. I really didn't want to go, but this could be the deal of the century. If I could get the new owner to collaborate with me on this new Australian venture, we could make hundreds of millions, possibly billions.

"We'll finish this later Reed. I need to weigh my options. "

Reed coughed and said, "This contract is pretty thorough, Mr. Wright. You don't have many options, you either sign or don't."

Reed saying that was like a weight slammed down onto my shoulders. I felt my chest slightly tighten, and my breathing became rugged.

For the first time in my adult life, I didn't know what the hell to do.
*
*
*
You either sign or you don't.

Sign or don't.

On the way to Reghnington's building, I couldn't stop thinking about the parental rights contract.

Why would someone who's lying send a contract like that?

I've been through this a few times, and not a single women has petitioned for me to sign my rights away. They usually nagged me at the office until the baby was born. After that, I would get the DNA test and they would be on their way.

This was different. There obviously was a chance I could be the father, but I'm usually more careful than to let something like this happen. Maybe I should just sign it and get it over with.

My life wouldn't change. This contract is a permanent out for me.

If I signed it, I wouldn't have to worry about the possibility like I did with the others. I could live my life the way I've been doing.

But what if it is mine?

I couldn't live with myself to know there's a part of me out there, living without me, not knowing who I am because of a decision I made.

As I came to my decision, we pulled up to Reghnington Headquarters. I got out preparing myself for this meeting, but I couldn't stop thinking about my personal situation.

I walked into the building, across their marble floors, not even bothering to stop at the receptionist's desk.

As I stepped into the elevator, I had to mentally remove myself from my personal life, and into the business mindset. I needed to be focused if I wanted to convince this new CEO to agree with this Australia endeavor.

I concentrated on my breathing and eventually my nerves calmed. I practiced my features to the 'poker face' all great business men have.

By the time the elevator doors opened to my destination, my businessman side was in full effect. I walled down the eggshell colored hall, with an air of arrogance about me.

I will get this deal and nothing will stop me.

As I reached the boardroom doors, my confidence was high. I took a quick breath and opened the doors. I was one of the first people there. I briefly greeted the present attendees and took my seat.
*
*
*
Thirty minutes.

We had been waiting for thirty minutes and the Reghnington CEO still hadn't arrived. Just as I was getting aggravated someone walked in.

"Hi, I'm Anna, the CEO's assistant, I do apologize for the delay but she's not feeling to well today." She said shifting from side to side, not really meeting anyone's eyes. "She should be arriving shortly and we at Reghnington Headquarters truly appreciate your patience."

She? Figures. Almost all women were late. They couldn't be time efficient even if you paid them. But the world needs them.

About five minutes later the doors opened again and in walked... Ariel?

She was well rounded in the mid-section due to her obvious pregnancy. She seemed bigger than my mother was in her pregnancy photos at this stage of her pregnancy when she was having me. If I did the math correctly she should have been around the three month mark. She looked well over that. She looked a bit tired in the face... and pale.

But she was beautiful.

She was wearing a tight black skirt that enhanced her bump, with a mint green long sleeved shirt that made her enlarged breast stand out. That alone sent my blood racing through my veins.

She took one look at everyone, her eyes locked on mine for a split second. Her face turned slightly green then, covering her mouth, she turned and sprinted out of the room without saying a word.