A SON FOR A BILLIONAIRE

IVY'S APARTMENT

Leroy was playing a video game in his room when he remembered that his mom had promised to get him a super hero comic book this weekend. He didn't want to lose the game to the robot playing with him but then the super hero comic book was more important. Then Leroy jumped nimbly to his feet, ran out of his bedroom and motioned towards the kitchen to talk to his mom.

"Mom! Mom! Mom!" Leroy screamed as he entered the kitchen where his mom was preparing dinner.

Ivy jumped in fear thinking something bad has happened to her soon. "Leroy! Are you alright?" She asked in a worried tone with her eyes checking out to see if he has gotten hurt anywhere.

"Yes..mom..I am fine.." Leroy panted from the run.

Ivy went ahead o him. "No..you don't look fine? Baby did you go out for a run again?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No mom! I only ran from my room to the kitchen!" Leroy answered.

"But..baby I have always told you to be careful about running around the house. You might slip and fall." She pointed at him.

Leroy straightened after the panting fit stopped. "I just remembered that you promised me something, so please can I get it now?" He asked.

"Baby, what is it you want to get from me?" Ivy asked, pretending not to know.

Leroy rolled his eyes. "My super hero comic book!" He reminded her in a slightly raised tone.

"Baby, do you think I will get you a super hero comic book again?" Ivy shook her head as she went back to what she was doing before Leroy stormed into the kitchen.

"Come on mom, you promised to get to me one." Leroy said.

"Oh well you see baby, I am taking back my promise." Ivy grabbed a napkin to bring down the pot from the gas.

"But why mom?!" Leroy requested.

"You have refused to read your books and all you ever did was play your time away on your video game and you expect me to reward you?" She stood at an akimbo.

Leroy sighed. "Come on mom, I -" Ivy interrupted her son.

"And you wandered away from me in a public place yesterday and still expect to be rewarded?" Ivy asked in the sternest voice she could muster.

She noticed the look of knowledge register on Leroy's eyes followed by a look of shame.

"I am sorry about yesterday mom, I only went to find some super hero comic books. I didn't mean to scare you." Leroy apologized with a remorseful look on his face.

Ivy felt herself cave in the face of his remorse. "Don't ever do it again, I couldn't find you and I searched through the entire area screaming like I was insane."

Leroy went ahead to embrace his mom. "Ugh mom I said that I am sorry and I also promise to make it up to you." He tilted up his face to look at her.

Ivy hugged him tightly. "Alright...apology accepted." She muttered.

"Thank you mom, so will you please get me the new superhero comic book collection?" Leroy asked as he pulled away from his mom.

Ivy cupped his jaw and flashed him a smile. She reminisced about how she had gotten this smart and intelligent child and then how much she had accomplished in the ten years. Ivy remembered that she had left her parent's house as an unlucky one and was labeled a jinx. She was one whose mother had conceived and seen as a bad luck to the family.

At the time of her birth, her father had lost his job and was involved in a fatal accident which almost took away his life. So many bad occurrences had surrounded her birth and It was a legacy that proved impossible to live down with no matter how hard Ivy tried. So in the end she had done her best to live up to it.

It had been so lonely for her to live without her family and that had made her cry herself to sleep every night.

"Mommy..can I get it now?" Leroy repeated snapping Ivy out of reverie.

"Yes..Yes baby..I will get it for you. But you should always remember to read your books and don't wander away from me because anything can happen to you especially in such rowdy place as a grocery store." She stated it clearly to her son.

Leroy stared at his mom in disbelief. "Come on mom, don't think like that, nothing bad is going to happen to me." He embraced her again.

"You can't say nothing bad will happen. Bad things are bound to happen but we should always pray to God to protect us." Ivy said with a shrug.

God knows plenty of bad thing had happened to her, more than enough that she had left her parents house and cut her sister Emily from her life in her bid for survival.

"Alright..I am really sorry mom." Leroy expressed in an apologetic tone.

"Baby..I know you are sorry about it." Ivy grazed his cheeks with her knuckles.

"Mom..I promised that I won't do it again." Leroy added quickly.

Ivy shook her head. "Good baby, I will pin down your promise because next time I won't be nice to you." Ivy hugged him and rubbed his back even as she made this threat.

Ivy leaned down to press a kiss on her son's forehead. "I love you." She said.

"I love you too." Leroy responded as he hugged his mom tighter.

Ivy knew she was indeed blessed to have him. Prior to his arrival Ivy had broken down in the ultrasound room when she found out she was having a baby boy. But from the moment he had entered into this world, Leroy had been the most gorgeous creature.

Leroy made everyday an adventure and Ivy wouldn't trade him for anything in the world.

"I prepared your favorite dinner." Ivy announced as she pulled away from her son.

"Oh really mom?!" Leroy gasped out.

"Yes..please sit so we can have dinner." Ivy said.

Leroy's eyes beamed with happiness. "Thank you mom!" He exclaimed as he went ahead to take his sit at the favorite spot on the dinning set.

"So about your comic book, have you checked out if it is available at any store around the area." Ivy asked.

"Yes mom, it is available at every store in New York now and I am pretty sure it will be available in stores around Los Angeles by weekend!" Leroy replied as his mom dished out their meals.

"Alright..I will make out time so we can get it this weekend." Ivy said.

"Is that a promise again mom?" Leroy asked.

"Yes baby..I promise." Ivy answered as she crossed her hands over her chest and watched her son with endearment in her eyes.

And then Leroy rattled on about his plans to get more super hero comic books.

ACE CLARK FAMILY MANSION

Thirty two years old Ace Clark was the Vice President of his family multi billionaire company. Clark corporation was a multi billionaire dollar companies that dabbled in everything in New York, from canning food products to fancy restaurants and small cafes and the others. Clark corporation was rated as one of the most influential businesses while Ace Clark was listed among top 30 CEOS on Forbes.

He sat at the bar with his maternal cousin, Arthur Young who owns an entertainment agency. Arthur listened to Ace as he rattled on about his new business plans.

"Once I get the Vice President of Huncho company to sign the contract then the deal is done." Ace said with clear excitement in his tone.

"Once you sign the deal then we would celebrate in a big way but for now let us talk about the upcoming family event, have you prepared everything for your engagement party?" Arthur asked as he drank from his wine glass.

"Not really, the truth is I have been really busy with work at the office. But the last time I checked on the arrangement I think..mom is insisting we have a photo shoot before then and some other silly stuffs." Ace answered.

"Momma is a good event planner but from what I am seeing right now, you don't look too satisfied with what is going on around here. Tell me why the long face? You should be happy about this your wedding which means you are leaving bachelor's life to being a married man." Arthur grinned.

Ace leaned closer toward his cousin. "Can you ever stop teasing me? you of all people should know that I am not interested in this whole thing and I don't want to get married yet." He whispered.

Arthur laughed. "Oh! Sorry buddy I almost forgot you don't love your so called fiancée. But don't worry bro -" He said placing one of his hand on Ace's right shoulder blade. "I am pretty sure that once you get married and spend some time with your wife, you will possibly fall in love with her. Camilla is nice, beautiful, smart, kind and -"

Ace interrupted him as he removed Arthur's hands from his shoulder blade. "Please enough of this silly jokes, it is not funny. But if you think my wife to be has these good qualities in which you have stated then you can as well take my place if you are that deeply interested in Camilla." Ace said with a screwed up face.

Arthur laughed again. "Come on bro, dad has always wanted you to have Camilla, not me!"

Ace shook his head in agreement. "And one thing that pisses me off about this whole thing is the publicity, I really hate that shit!" He spat.

"Oh..you want a private party?" Arthur wolf whistled. "You have really changed bro because if I can recall, let us say about ten years back.." Arthur tapped a finger at the side of his head. "You have always wanted everybody to know you as Mr Clark's only heir." Arthur shot Ace 'can you remember look'

"I was way to young back then, Arthur." Ace said.

Arthur nodded in agreement. "And everything changed after you came back from your dad's hotel in Arizona." He said.

"I can never forget what -"

Arthur cleared his throat when he saw Camilla walking up to them and Ace was quick to get the sign so he stopped talking.

Camilla smiled. "Hi Arthur." She greeted.

"Hey look who is here?! Ace Clark bride-to-be!" Arthur stood up from the high stool and gave Camila a hug and threw a wink at Ace.

"It is really good to see you, Arthur." Camilla said as she disentangled from the embrace.

"It is good to see you too, Camilla. So how are you doing?" Arthur asked.

"Well I am fine as you can see." She turned away so Arthur could check her out.

"I can see that clearly and you must be really happy that you are finally getting married to Ace Clark." He said.

Camilla eyes gleamed with happiness, "Of course! I am so happy." She went over to Ace and planted a kiss on his lips.

Arthur chuckled. "Wow! Congratulations." He clapped his hands.

"Thank you, Arthur." She linked her arm with Ace's

"I do hope that I will also find my own bride very soon." Arthur said with a faked smiled.

He enjoyed every bit of distress on Ace Clark's face.

"Well I am sure you will find one soon." Camilla said.

"So momma said you guys need to have a pre wedding photoshoot, so when will the shoot take place?" Arthur asked.

"Oh Arthur that is why I am here." Camilla paused. "Arthur, you should be able to help me with that, I know you have great skill in photography."

"Ouch..it is a pity that now that I have decided to stay off camera..you need my help." Arthur raised his hand in surrender.

Camilla huffed. "If you can't do it then we need a professional photographer

"Alright getting you a professional photographer won't be a problem. I have a photographer I use for my models. But she is a female, if you are cool with that then we can go on." Arthur said.

"Is she good at what she does?" Camilla asked with a happy face.

"Yes and I bet she can capture the wind.." He joked.

They both bursted into a loud laughter at Arthur's joke while a deep frown grazed Ace's face.

"If she is good as you claim then I am fine with it. I trust your sense of professional approval." Camilla said.

"I have worked with so many photographers but this lady is just exceptionally talented and she also works as a film producer." Arthur brought out his phone from his jacket.

"Well I am not sure if I have heard about her before." Camilla replied with a snapped eyebrows.

"Let me show you some of her works." Arthur unlocked his phone and showed her pictures.

"Wow! These are really beautiful. I will like this particular shoot for us." She pointed to a couple's picture.

"Alright." Arthur put his phone back in his pocket.

"Can she help us out soon?" Camilla asked.

"I will talk to her once I leave here. Don't worry, you will get to meet her at my studio tomorrow, if that is okay with you." The corners of his eye crinkled.

"Tomorrow? Is it okay with you, Ace?" Camilla asked.

Ace faked a smile "Sure." He replied.

"Alright then we are good to go tomorrow. Arthur thank you very much, I will let ma'am Clark know about it." Her face flashed with excitement before she walked away.

"Oh my God bro! You should count yourself as the luckiest man on earth. You want to know why? It is because you are getting married to the daughter of one of the richest men in Los Angeles. You are both a perfect match!" Arthur continued to tease Ace in an annoying way.

"Arthur, I don't give a damn about who her father is in this Los Angeles." Ace stood up to leave. "I am out of here." He gulped down the last liquid in his glasses before he walked away.

"Bye bye cousin." Arthur waved at Ace as he smiled in satisfaction.

Leroy was all cuddle up in his mom's arm on the couch and she toyed with his curly hair.

"So mom, when is aunt Emily moving in with us?" He asked.

"Your aunt hasn't given a call yet but let us just hope by next week." Ivy answered.

Leroy screwed up his face. "But mom why don't you give her a call instead?" Leroy suggested.

"You see son, I don't want your aunt to feel pressured about moving in with us." Ivy stated clearly.

"You are right mom but I hope she calls soon. I am so excited about meeting her now that I know that I have an aunt. It will be so much fun to finally meet someone from our family." Leroy said with excitement in his tone.

Emily had called Ivy for help, because she was too embarrassed to call their parents and that fear had been impossible for Ivy to ignore. Ivy already made up her mind that she wouldn't turn her back on her sister, never again.

"Leroy-" Ivy was interrupted by a beeping sound from her cellphone. She checked the caller ID and saw that it was her boss, Arthur Young.

She picked up the call. "Hello Arthur." She greeted.

"Hi Ivy, I am so sorry for calling you by this time." Arthur said apologetically.

"Oh no..Arthur it is fine and I am sill awake." Ivy said.

"The reason why I called is because I need your help with something." Arthur said.

Ivy gestured to Leroy to sit up while she adjusted her sitting position. "Is there a problem at the agency?" She asked.

"No.. No.. everything is fine. It is just that my cousin is having his engagement party very soon so they need a professional photographer for the pre wedding shot so I happened to recommend you to them." Arthur Young explained.

Ivy heaved a sigh of relief. "Okay." She said.

"So can you help them with that?" Arthur Young asked.

"Since it is a wedding shoot then..of course I can help them." Ivy answered.

"So can you make it down to the studio tomorrow?" Arthur Young asked.

"Tomorrow? Sure. What time?" Ivy placed her finger on her lip when Leroy tried to speak.

"Is 12 p.m okay with you?" Arthur asked without sounding like he was pressuring her about it.

"Alright..I will meet you at the studio by 12 p.m tomorrow." Ivy said.

"Alright..thank you so much, Ivy." Arthur said.

"Yeah..have a good night." Ivy said before hanging up the call.

"Mom, who was that?" Leroy asked.

"My boss...Arthur Young." She answered.

Leroy rolled his eyes. "Don't tell you are going to work tomorrow." Leroy grumbled.

Ivy pulled him closer to her side. "Yes honey, I am going to the studio for a couple's shoot." Ivy responded with a kiss in his curls.

"So that means I will have to stay with ma'am Vanessa tomorrow?" Leroy said with deep frown on his face.

Ivy hummed a positive response. "But why do you have to work when you are on leave!" Leroy questioned frantically.

He had hoped to spend more time with his mom this weekend.

"Honey it is not like a leave but my boss just gave me some time off to spend time with you. For the nature of my work, my boss can summon me anytime to come and do a shoot." Ivy explained to her son calmly.

"I really don't want to stay with that old lady." Leroy's face contorted as he complained.

"Come on Leroy, Old Vanessa is a really nice old lady." Ivy said.

"Yes mom, I know she is nice but at the same time she is a bit eccentric. Can't I go with you to the studio?" Leroy eyes pleaded with his mom.

"No honey, you can't come with me to work place." Ivy kissed his cheeks.

"Oh why mom? Why won't you take me to your studio?" Leroy grumbled.

"It is a workplace and not a fun filled play ground. So how about we make a deal?" Ivy offered to her son.

Leroy's face brightened with joy. "A deal? Alright I am in!"

"So the deal is if you stay with old Vanessa, I will you buy more comic books." Ivy said. "And -"

Mooooommmm..." Leroy cut her off her statement. "That is not a fair deal!" He said.

"Of course it is a fair deal." Ivy resorted.

"I already apologized and you promised to get me my super hero comic books." Leroy's face twisted.

"Honey, I just said that I will get MORE." The last word stressed and rolled of her tongue to make it clear to her son.

"More? More comic books? Really?" He stern intently at his mom.

"Yes..more comic books if you stay with old Vanessa." Ivy responded with smile.

"Add a milk shake then I will stay with old Vanessa. Is that a deal?" Leroy asked.

"You are a bit cunning son." Leroy ticked her son's side and he laughed out.

"Mom!" He managed to get away from her grasp.

Ivy stood up to go after him but Leroy managed to side step her. "Do we have a deal now?" He asked.

Ivy went for him again but he dodged her. "Do we have a deal mom?"

She threw her hands up in surrender after much efforts to catch him failed. "Alright..more comic books and a milk shake." Ivy gave in to her sons demand.

"Oh Thanks mom!" Leroy raced down to the kitchen to get a milk shake from the fridge.

"Honey..be careful or you will trip off. Just hold on and let me come get it for you!" Ivy called out to her son ass she walked to the kitchen.