Destined

Chapter 3 ~ The Offer

Chapter 3

"Daddy!" Yuri exclaimed, hopping down from Michaela's lap and ran to Luca. He picked the boy up in his arms.

"Have you been a good boy?" He asked. "Yes," was the immediate answer. "And mommy is gonna bake me cake on my birthday."

Luca met Michaela's eyes over Yuri's head. She looked worried, confused and Lord knows what else. "Time for your nap, buddy." He turned and instructed the nanny to bring the boy to the top floor which was purposely made into a suite for his visits. He dislikes hotels so he made sure all of their offices outside Greece have suites for his and his family's comfort.

"No. I want to go with mommy," and Yuri reached his arms towards Michaela. "Yuri, buddy mommy and I need to talk so you have to go with nanny," tried Luca.

"No! Mommy!" He ran to Michaela as soon as Luca put him down and hugged her legs. "Mommy, come. Yuri sleep," he pleaded.

"Okay, baby," she was forced to answer seeing that the boy was about to cry again and who can say no to that doe eyes of his? She was rewarded by the most angelic smile he bestowed on her. "I love you, mommy. Carry?"

"Oh, no buddy. You are too heavy for mommy to carry." Luca picked him up and hoisted him up in his arms. But the boy immediately reached out and held Michaela's hand. "Sorry. Later," he whispered to her over Yuri's head. She can only nod. Things are getting crazier by the minute, she thought.

The nanny preceded them out of the room holding the door open for them. She followed them to the private elevator that would bring them up to the top floor. The executive employees on that floor stared aghast at the picture they presented with Yuri still holding Michaela's hand. She felt her cheeks reddened and focused her eyes on her feet.

The elevator opened directly to what appeared like the living area only that it was huge and could easily be the size of her condominium unit. They continued walking down the hallway and Luca led them to Yuri's room. He put him down on the bed. Michaela immediately removed his shoes and covered him with the duvet under the approving gaze of Luca.

"Mommy, sit here," he patted the space beside him on the bed and immediately closed his eyes holding her hand. He fell asleep in no time with all the crying he did earlier. Luca motioned for her to follow him out. She carefully put down Yuri's hand and silently closed the door on her way out.

"We need to talk." Luca was leaning on the wall opposite the door. "An understatement," she hissed and walked 'past him back to the living room. He grabbed her hand and led her to his home office. "In here," he said.

She walked to one of the chairs facing his desk but he turned and sat her down in one of the couches near the window. "Would you mind if I order us something to eat?" he asked. She raised her eyebrows at him. "I guess not," he chuckled.

"I don't think this situation is funny, Mr. Conti," she hissed. "I came here to be interviewed and find myself in the middle of a family drama. I don't even know how to call this situation, to be honest. So, I would really appreciate if you will start explaining now."

Just as he thought, feisty. He is truly enjoying this, except for the part where Yuri is concerned, of course. That is one serious situation. He sighed. He walked to sit on the other couch facing her. Where to begin? He needs a plan, a sound one. He didn't want to scare her away, not now, not when she's finally here within his reach. If Yuri is what is needed to keep her, he is prepared to do that. In fact, he will do just about anything to keep her.

"Cat got your tongue?" she taunted. That made him smile still thinking of the best way to go about this. He is usually a quick thinker but since meeting her, words just failed him.

"I honestly don't know where to start," he quipped. "Why don't you start by explaining why you called me your 'fiancée' down there?" she raised her eyebrows at him as if daring him.

"Right. But it's more complicated than Yuri's case so might as well start with that." He stood up, walked to his desk and picked up his laptop. He placed it at the table between them and showed her the screen. There was a picture of a smiling couple, the woman was about 6 months pregnant while the man looks like Luca, a younger version though and his hair was lighter.

"I don't understand." She looked up to him confused.

"Yuri is not my son. He was my brother's. They," he said pointing to the screen, "died on a car accident before Yuri was due for delivery. The doctors performed an emergency caesarian operation on Isabella to save him. My younger brother, Carlos died before reaching the hospital and Isabella was barely alive. I think it was her desire to save her child that kept her alive since she sustained injuries that most people would have died in seconds." He paused trying to hold his emotions.

"He grew up thinking my mom was his mom, then his nanny, and some other female members of the family, not so many, I tell you because we are a family of men so to speak." A small smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "He's so young to understand and my mom thought it best to tell him the truth when he is old enough to understand. Yes, I am not his real father but I am and will be the only father he'll know because he is mine now."

He looked at her and continued. "He started asking questions about his mommy lately. But our child psychiatrist said he is still too young to take everything in and understand. We have to wait until his mind is ready. Except for family and close friends, no one in the business world knew. My brother never took active part in running our business. He married young and died young." He shook his head at the thought.

"Today is the first time that Yuri was truly happy. I mean, have you seen that spark in his eyes, the excitement?" When she nodded, he continued. "I want to keep my son happy and I was hoping you would help me."

"Me? But, but...how?" she asked confused. He looked directly at her eyes and answered, "By agreeing to be his mommy."

"What? Are you crazy?" she hissed. "I probably am," he answered seriously.

She stood up and walked to the direction of the door. She's not going to sit there and listen to another minute of craziness. She should have left long before now. But Luca grabbed her hand and turned her to face him.

"Would you at least listen to the details of my proposal?" he asked. She whisked her hand free and continued to the door.

Luca panicked. No way she's walking out of his life; no way in hell.