Chapter 3 Jessica's Custody (2)

The reception became silent causing me to wonder if I had made a mistake by picking the man I had chosen. Staring at the man whom I claimed was Jessica's father, my heart began to beat anxiously as I waited for his response. Would he deny it? My daughter's fate rested in his hands and I had no idea what to do. If Jared caught me lying, he could easily make a strong case against me and claim I was keeping him away from our daughter.

" Is that true, Mr. Grant?" Jared asked making me even more anxious.

" Of course not. How can Mr. Grant have a child from this woman? I have never met her in my life and I am his secretary." A man in a blue suit said defending his boss.

" How much do you think you know about this woman? Michelle Williams. Her grandfather is the richest man in the country. And, she is my woman. Yes, Jessica is my daughter." The stranger lied surprising everyone including me.

Watching him walk up to me, I looked down shocked as he wrapped his hand around my shoulders pulling me towards him as his lips touched mine in a kiss. Although it was gentle and soft, I couldn't help but tense up as my body instantly reacted to his. His kiss was different.

" Sweetheart, is this the man you told me about? Your... ex? Everything has been cleared up, right? Let's go." Grant said leading me out of the building before Jared could ask more questions.

Feeling shy as we left Jared's company, I looked away unable to look at the stranger who had just kissed me. Reaching for my card instead, I stretched out my hand hoping I could leave as soon as possible.

"Thank you for what you did back there. Here is my card and this is a check to thank you for helping me." I said stretching out my hand so he could take both.

" Do you think I don't have money? My assets may not be as much as yours, Ms. Williams but I can assure you that I have more than enough money to feed an entire city. Let's have dinner instead. You can pay." Grant said.

" I would love to but I have a daughter and she is all alone at home. I'm sorry but I would have to decline." I said apologizing as I shook my head stretching the card and the check forward.

" Then invite your daughter too. All three of us can have dinner together. I am super curious about how your daughter is. You love her so much that you are willing to make a stranger her father." Grant said.

" Grant, listen. This issue is complicated and I am so sorry I dragged you into it. I didn't know what to do." I explained sighing.

" Tristan. My name is Tristan Grant. I do not feel offended at all. I just want to have dinner with you. One dinner." Tristan Grant said trying to persuade me.

Glancing down at my watch, I couldn't help but nervously bite my lower lip as I struggled to come up with a polite way to decline his invitation. All I could think about was being alone with Jessica, but Tristan's insistence on having dinner together meant I couldn't simply walk away.

" One dinner then. I know a very good spot. Your car or mine?" I asked.

"I'll take mine. I meant it when I said I wanted to meet the little angel." Tristan said reaching for my hand to place a kiss on my hand before he left in his car.

A short while later, Jessica and I found ourselves reluctantly seated across from Tristan, who appeared oddly enthusiastic about joining us for dinner. The restaurant was awfully quiet with only a bit of classical music playing in the background. It was the perfect place to be since I didn't want any more drama and I was sure that Jared would never find me here. Just as I began to settle into the evening, my phone pierced the moment with an insistent ring. Glancing at the caller ID, I noticed a message from my lawyer. Nervously, I accessed the message, and as anticipated, it confirmed my fears - convincing Jared of Tristan's paternity would be an arduous task. Jared remained steadfast in his refusal to accept Tristan as Jessica's father.

I had no other option.

" Please wait," I said stopping Tristan just as he was about to leave.

Sending my daughter off with an excuse to talk to the waiter, Tristan and I were finally alone giving me time to talk to him.

" I need your help," I said handing my phone over to Tristan.

Watching Tristan read the message my lawyer sent me, I couldn't read his expression since he remained quiet. However, I had a feeling that he didn't like children as much as I had imagined.

" You want me to pretend to be your daughter's father again? For how long?" Tristan asked making me shrug my shoulders.

" I don't know. It won't be long. I just need you to convince Jared that Jessica is not his daughter. Only until he believes us. After that, we can go our separate ways." I pleaded hoping that he would help.

" I can't. I have a girlfriend. We are going to be married soon. I just wanted to help you out because it seemed you really love your daughter. You're different but I am sorry I can't be your daughter's father." Tristan said standing up.

" How much do you want? It's just for a while. Investment? I can make it happen. Whatever you want." I pleaded nervously as I stood up rubbing my two hands together.

" No amount of money can buy a father's love for his daughter, Michelle. I think it's time you understand that. I won't tell the truth to your husband but you should. Take Jessica back to her father and sort out whatever issue you have with him." Tristan said surprising me with his cold outburst before he left the restaurant.

Leaving the restaurant to catch up with Tristan, I was struck by the sight of another woman embracing him, her hands wrapped around his neck. I watched in disbelief as they shared laughter and conversation while his car pulled away. At that moment, my hope in Tristan was destroyed. I had hoped he was someone I could count on, but now I felt the sting of disappointment and regret.