The Billionaire's Chef

Chapter 3

Ashton Lombardi POV

The name is Ashton Lombardi. I'm a CEO for a multi-billionaire business Lombardi Global Inc.. Although I'm only 26 years old I have accomplish more success into the business more than my father and grandfather has ever done. But it wasn't easy, it never was. That is why I am well known for being ruthless and intimidating in the world of business. No CEO or business owner dare to get on my wrong side or their business can easily get crush to the smithereens. 

Despite all that reputation the world still love to follow me around. I am known for one of the top five elite bachelor under the age of 30. They also know me as the player or casanova with different girls almost every night and in different relationship every week. Be it celebrity or random one-night stands, I can't help but release all the stress I collect from running the multi-billions business to where it stands until now. 

Yet, what the world doesn't really know is the real me. The fact that I'm a family man; I love my family to death. I have my parents, younger twin-siblings Angela and Angelo Lombardi who are 24 years old, and finally my god son who I have recently adopted from a year ago name Derek Lombardi. His actual name is Zaden Romano but his father's last wish was to have his name change for his future. His father, who is my good friend Damon Romano, was killed by his own wife, who I told him was psychotic but he was far too in love with her to see it. 

It turned out that Derek isn't his biological son. Damon realised how Derek doesn't look anything like him and only slightly look like his wife, so he did DNA test behind his wife's back. The result was as he's expected but despite that he still treat Derek like his own blood. His wife found the test result and ever since has been treating Derek like an abomination even though it was her who was at fault. Luckily Damon managed to call me and left Derek in my care along with his last wish before he went back home but to end up in car crash from his wife own suicidal mission. She thought Damon has Derek in the car before she drove her car to his in a very fast speed forgetting to buckle herself with the safety belt, they both died from the impact.

That sadly made me think whether love is ever worth to pursue. I never have fallen in love before and possibly never now that Damon lost his life by his so called 'love'. I have always been the play and dump one, but I will never know. I will just have to wait and see I guess, who know? right?

*****

"Morning Derek!" I greeted Derek who is sitting on his high chair eating his breakfast with my younger brother Angelo. Derek simply nodded his head and stay quiet while he chew on his food. I sighed at his quiet response. He hardly ever speak to me, Angelo, Angela and even my parents. I have asked him what's wrong but he just shrugged at my question before he walked away, every single time.

I said my good morning to everyone else around the table and plated my breakfast before I made my way to sit opposite to Derek since Angela and Angelo has sat themselves on either side of Derek. They have fallen in love with Derek and been spoiling him despite his quiet response towards their kind gestures and company.

"Ashton, why don't you enroll Derek into a kindergarten here? he is five already maybe that will help him with his speech?" my mom suggested. That's true he is now at the age where he can join kindergarten. I sure do hope he can make friends and improve his speech ability eventually. 

"Yes, that's true. Angelo do you think you can handle that? unfortunately I have meetings after meetings for the whole day today." Angelo smile widely before he nodded his head excitedly.

'Oh, I will come along! I don't have any meeting or important appointment for my clothing line business. Can I?" Angela asked with her puppy eyes at me. I sighed and can't really deny anything of her request when she uses that look to her advantage. 

"Alright, you two go and do that. Do call me when you have done so or email if I can't pick up my phone" I said before I finish up my breakfast and coffee. I bid my family goodbye but placed a kiss on Derek's head just like the usual before I leave the house and begin my long day. 

*****

'Hello?" I picked up my phone as soon I see Angelo's caller ID flashing on my phone's screen. It's 2 p.m in the afternoon now so I'm guessing he's done with Derek's enrollment to his new kindergarten. 

"Hey bro, just wanting to let you know that the enrollment is all done and he can start coming tomorrow on-wards. Is that cool for you? If so Angela and I can go shopping Derek's school essentials now or would you rather do that with him?" I thought about him and since I want to be a good father figure to my god-son I thought maybe I should do the shopping with him this weekend instead.

"umm... no I will shop with him this weekend. He will start school next week. The three of you can just hangout or have some ice-cream or something." 

I bid my goodbye and can't help but sigh. I sure love that kid like he is my own but I don't know how to help him to be honest. I used to live by myself in my own penthouse before Derek was adopted. We used to live there for half a year in fact but still he wasn't speaking much. I thought he was just adapting to his new environment and new faces but that may not be the case. So I thought moving back to live with my family can help him to interact with more people and eventually make him to communicate more. Yet that didn't happen. 

Oh, Damon bro what should I do? give me your guidance from above man!