Sophia sat at the restaurant her eyes fixed on the empty chair across from her tears streaming down her face Suddenly, she heard a gentle voice asking "Are you okay?" She turned to see Thomas standing beside her "We will meet again," he said, gesturing to the empty chair
Sophia sniffled her nose red and puffy and shook her head unable to speak Thomas offered her a handkerchief to wipe away her tears asking again "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Sophia accepted the handkerchief and dabbed at her tears"I did something bad... something really bad to my friend."
Thomas's expression softened and he opened his arms, embracing her in a warm hug He patted her back"Let it out Sophia Let it all out"
★☆★
Molly was busy cooking in the kitchen when Alex appeared in the doorway his eyes fixed on her for a moment before he approached her He wrapped his arms around her from behind pulling her close
"Are you okay?" Molly asked
"I'm fine just hungry" Alex replied his stomach growling in agreement Molly chuckled and broke free from the hug grabbing a plate to serve him As she handed it over Alex caught her hand holding it gently
"Molly are you hiding something from me?" Alex asked
"What are you talking about?"
"I just want to know about Jasper's father"
"I've told you already he's dead and gone Why bring it up again?" Molly said but her eyes darting away
Molly's hand gently caressed Alex's face her eyes locking onto his "I'm not hiding anything from you Alex You should trust me okay?"
"I trust you and I love you Molly" Alex replied, his lips brushing against hers in a gentle kiss Just then his phone rang breaking the moment
"I need to take this" he said, stepping out of the kitchen As he walked away he whispered to himself "I just want to hear it from you Molly..."
★☆★
"Ezra don't you think we need to talk?" Clara shouted, hurling the book at him
"What is all this about?" Ezra yelled back
"For Pete's sake Ezra Mabel is your daughter Why are you treating her like a slave? You want her to marry into the Richardson family just to benefit your company and you even have the nerve to ask her to give up her modeling career? What business is it of yours?"
"She's my daughter and she'll do as I say!" Ezra thundered
"She's your daughter, not your property!" Clara shot back "She's your only daughter, let her live her life Stop dictating how she should live her life for her own good!"
"I'm just teaching her how to behave when she becomes the president of the company"
"I know you're going to bring it up fine She's not a boy I know you've always wanted a son..." Clara said her voice trailing off
"Yes I've always wanted a male child and since she's not one I'll make her act like one by force So stay away and mind your business,"
"Fine, but I won't let you treat my daughter like a boy if you don't stop I'll be forced to cut off my share of the company if you continue this behavior"
"Is that a threat?" Ezra asked
Mabel, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, clenched her fists "Don't worry Dad I'll make you proud very soon"
★☆★
"Why did you call us here, Mum?" Alex asked, sitting down and looking at Nathan and their mother Elisa
"I've called you both here today to announce that I'm handing over the company to the two of you"
"Why, Mum? You've always wanted to be in control of the company What's changed?" Nathan asked
"Nothing much, I'm just getting old and I want you both to take over," Elisa said
"There must be a specific reason Mum,"
"Fine, Ezra has been threatening me breathing down my neck about the company shares"
"So, is that the reason you want to leave the company? Because of Ezra's pressure?" Alex asked, his eyes narrowing
"No, it's not that I'm scared of him, I'm just tired, and I want you both to take over the company"
"Let Nathan do it, I have no interest in leading the company with him,"
"Alex, not again, you guys need to put your differences aside now..." Elisa began, but Alex cut her off
"We're not putting our differences aside I'm not going to lead the company with him It's either him or me"
"Nathan stated, "I'm impartial, I don't have a preference for who leads the company I'm comfortable with either of you at the helm"
"I've reached my limit with your constant squabbling Despite my repeated questions, you both refuse to disclose what's going on. I'm exhausted from asking Either you'll jointly lead the company If not, I'll have no choice but to sell cafe off!"
"Mum you can't do that! The cafe is the only thing Grandma left me you can't sell it off" Alex protested
Elisa turned to him"Then it's better for you both to put your differences aside and work together" she said before walking out of the room
"Don't think I'm going to join you in leading the company"
Nathan simply muttered "whatever
___
Molly opened the door to find Marco standing there
"What are you doing here?" she asked
"So this is where you're hiding with my son? You dare to run away with my son?" Marco yelled
Molly stood her ground"Your son? Marco, the last time I checked, you told me you weren't the father, and I locked you out! Can't you just leave us alone?"
"Well, I can't just go away! Pack your bags and come with me, now!"
"I'm not going anywhere with you! Get out of here right now" Molly shouted
"The fact still remains that Jasper is my son, and I have every right over him!" he yelled
Just then, a voice interrupted the argument "What's going on here Molly?"
"Alex...I.."
"I thought you said his father was dead? What's going on here Molly?"
"I...am...Jasper's real father and she is my wife!" Marco said
Alex's eyes widened in shock as he turned to Molly "Molly tell me it's not true" he yelled, his eyes filled with tears......
YOU ARE READING
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancé
Romance"Pay me now," "You need to sign first," Alex replied, holding out the contract Molly snatched the pen and signed without reading her eagerness for the money palpable "Now, pay me!" she insisted, her eyes fixed on Alex. "Calm down" "We're talking bu...
