Chapter 2 002

Jaden's POV

"I asked for the complete report from the account officer, and you're handing me a document that wasn't properly edited?" I tossed the papers in the air. "Get this rubbish out of my face!"

"Sorry, sir." He squatted to gather the papers before heading out.

"May I come in, sir?" Valentine requested, knocking on the door.

Valentine has been my personal assistant since I became the President of Worthington Enterprise.

"Yeah, come in," I gestured for him to have a seat. "I want to completely relieve the head of the accounts department of his duties immediately. Find someone more competent."

"I'll do just that. Mrs. Worthington called earlier and asked me to inform you that she'll be having lunch with you today."

"Mom? What does she want this time? She never comes for a peaceful conversation," I sighed.

It's time someone told my mom that I'm not a boy anymore. She's starting to get on my last nerve with these lunch and dinner dates.

"Get us a reservation, VIP, please. I don't want people listening in on our conversation."

"You already have a reservation for 12 PM, and it's..." He checked his watch. "11:40 AM. The driver is waiting."

"Let's get this over with, then."

"Mi Amorcito!" She yelled as soon as she saw me.

Ugh, not the Spanish again. Mom made us take Spanish classes when we were three. According to her, it's a family tradition. My grandparents were Mexicans. May their souls rest in peace.

"Hi, mom," I said, standing up to give her a hug. She can be annoying, but she's still my mother.

"Mom, I've told you not to call me names in Spanish when we're in public. I'm a grown man with a reputation, not a mommy's boy."

"If you're as grown as you claim, then do what's right. Otherwise, I'll keep treating you like a baby."

Her mood suddenly changed. Here we go...the real drama.

"I know where this is going. I've told you countless times, I can make my own decisions. So please, back off." I glanced at the menu.

"Red & Golden Beet Salad for me, Local Burrata for the lady," I said to the waitress beside me.

"Alejandro...."

"Mom, please, Jaden, not Alejandro," I never really liked that name.

"It's been four years already. You should have your own family. Give me grandchildren before I kiss the earth."

Yes, she's getting old, but why talk about kissing the earth? I dug into my food, letting her talk to her fill.

"Since you want your mama to do all the work, I've found eligible, hardworking ladies for you to meet this weekend. I'm not taking no for an answer this time."

"If that would make you let me breathe, then fine, I'll do it."

"Good!" She picked up her bag aggressively and left the restaurant.

"Adiós, mamá." I said with a hint of sarcasm.

That's one easy way to get her off my back. After I finished my food, I picked up the phone. "Cancel whatever plan I have for the weekend, we're going on a blind date," I instructed Valentine.

"We?" He asked, sounding confused.

"Oh stupid, you know what I mean," I dropped the phone and gestured for the waitress to bring the bills.

Dalma's POV

"Look who decided to come home," he said with a hint of excitement.

I haven't been back for almost seven years, and that's the welcome I get from my dad.

I sluggishly rolled my luggage into the house while Damian hid behind me the whole time.

My mom and sister were at the dining table, doing what they do best, reading fashion magazines. "Hi Mom, hi Cassie," I called, drawing their attention, but as expected, I got snubbed.

I gave my dad a hug. He seemed a little excited to see me, or maybe he was just pretending.

"Who's the kid?" my mom asked.

"Hey, baby, go say hi to Grandma and Grandpa," I instructed Damian, gently stroking his head. No time for long talks. They have a grandkid now, they can deal with it.

"Good day, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma," he said in an innocent tone.

My mom jerked away from the table and slowly approached me.

"Dalma, did you adopt a kid?" my dad asked in disbelief.

"You left home for school, and after six years, you come back with a..." She looked at Damian. "A kid?"

"Don't just stand there. Whose child is this?" my dad asked again.

I stood there quietly, thinking of how to tell my parents that I got screwed by a stranger and have no idea who Damian's father is.

"Dalma Celeste Millie, answer your father before I do something we'll both regret," my mom threatened. All eyes were fixed on me, I could literally feel their gaze on my skin.

Well, they already treat me like Cinderella. I get the ugliest dresses, and I have to do all the chores. What's the worst that could happen?

"He's my kid. His name is Damian," I said, breaking the silence. My dad immediately tossed his newspaper on the floor, making me flinch.

My sister, Cassie, broke into laughter. "Congratulations, sis." She finally left her magazine and walked toward us, brushing Damian's hair before heading out.

Typical Cassie. She has probably been waiting for me to disappoint our parents so I'd get disowned and she'd finally get the princess treatment she always wanted.

"Your kid? How did this even happen?" my dad asked, still in disbelief. At this point, he was no longer seated, he began pacing around the living room.

"We know you've always been reckless, but having a child? That's the height of it," my mom said.

"Reckless, huh? Or maybe I refused to let the way you treated me get me down. I refused to let things at home affect my life. Is that reckless?"

"I gave you the best training, everything you needed, and this is how you repay your father and I?"

I scoffed. "The best training? Locking me up in the attic for days without food? Making me wear hand-me-downs from the neighbors?"

"Mom, I had to start fending for myself at 16 when you and dad are alive."

"Both of you, stop it already!" my dad yelled.

"She started it," I replied.

They both looked worried now. It's just a child. I didn't commit a crime. My mom walked to my dad and whispered something in his ear. "Oh shit," he screamed, hitting the table.