Chapter 5 Five.

*Lola*

I watched my reflection in the mirror ugly cry over a man who had broken my soul five years ago. A man who I swore would never have access to me and my son ever again. Only that he had somehow slipped back into our lives in the most daunting way ever.

"No. This can't be happening. I can't be doing this," I began, wiping away the tears. Lamonthe had hurt me enough. That was why I never bothered to act crazy after he dumped me like a piece of trash at the altar. Not trying to search for him even when everything inside me craved to have him by my side again.

After splashing some water on my face, the strength I thought it would give me never came to me. I resorted to sliding my back down the wall until my butt got to the cold tiles.

The memory of how his face had lit up and his voice softened when her call came into his phone triggered a new range of rage inside me. I knew how long I had longed for him to treat me exactly how he was treating her.

But since I wasn't the one with a flashy lifestyle and millions of dollars in my account, I might never be getting that treatment.

I took a deep breath and wondered what my life would have been like had it been that I never crossed paths with Lamonthe at the after party Versace threw during the New York fashion week. Where would I have been now?

I have been studying to get a degree in arts management back then, but never finished school all because I had chosen love. Maybe my ambitious self would have climbed the career ladder.

Here I am, a miserable single mother, in huge debts and little hope of surviving with her sick son.

"Oh Lamonthe," I muttered. I could no longer hold back the tears, so I let them begin flowing down my cheeks again. My whole body shook violently on remembering what the doctor said about Max needing to be placed in an intensive unit if his condition doesn't improve, due to the severity of his case.

"I paused my life for you and what am I getting in return? Being treated like some piece of trash." I continued in between tears.

I can't remember how long I stayed in the bathroom, but when I got out, I met him standing by the window. He seemed to be in deep thought. He also seemed to be at peace, and that alone was what made me take my next decision at that spot.

Approaching him slowly, he turned to me while I was still midway, as if he had sensed my presence. "How are you doing, Lola?"

I swallowed hard, mustering the courage I needed to say my next words. "How I am doing is not important. At least not right now that we have to talk about child support."

When I saw his eyes widened, I knew I had punched him hard right where I wanted to.

"What freaking child support? What the heck are you talking about?"

"You don't know what child support is? Do you want me to explain it to you like you are five years old?"

"Enough of your unnecessary sarcasm. Of course I know what child support is. What I don't understand is why it is coming up now."

In an attempt to tone down my anger, I bit my lips hard, almost tasting blood. Lamonthe is daring me in the most dangerous way ever. It might end up costing the both of us.

He took a few steps, covering the rest of the space between us, while cocking his head to the side, a smirk curled up on his lips. "Wait a minute. Don't tell me it is what I am thinking. Someone is trying to get greedy right now."

"Getting greedy, how?" I asked him with a deep frown masking my face. What does he mean by greedy? I am trying to negotiate the well being of our son and he was thinking about manipulation. Is he out of his mind?

"I know the game you are trying to play, dear Lola. But trust me when I tell you that it is going to cost you. Hard."

"Look, Lamonthe," I began, already sensing the tension gripping almost every part of his body.

"It's Lucas! How many times would I have to tell you that my name is now Lucas?"

"Lucas, Lamonthe, whatever. I don't know what the hell you mean by games. The only thing I can tell you right now is that I am tired of single handedly taking care of our son. I need you in on this. You have to start contributing. What the heck am I pleading for? You have the money for Christ's sake!"

He stomped his leg hard on the floor, "And that's exactly what I am talking about!"

I saw Max shift a little out of the corners of my eyes. It distracted me a little from Lucas' drama. Except that his next words had my attention getting back at him.

"What did you just say?" I asked him in an incredulous voice.

"Oh yes, Lola, you heard me right. One more word about some silly child support and I will have you fired and thrown in jail."

I gasped. I don't know which one left my jaw open between his words and the harshness of it.

"Are you being serious right now?" Was the only thing I could manage to ask him.

"A hundred and one percent damn serious. Try me, Lola and see what next I am capable of," he walked past me and tried to leave the room. Only to return back to me and say, "And oh, don't try to play smart by thinking of reporting me to Alessia. It will be your word against mine and be sure that I will deny every part of your existence."

He walked past me and left the room this time around, banging the door after him. His absence became so loud in the room, almost jarring me. I lowered myself on the chair facing Max's bed only to realize that Max was awake.

"What is it, Mommy?" he asked me in his hoarse voice.

"It's nothing, sweetie," I tried to assure him.

"Who was that man who just left?"