No Choice But To Love

'My baby is not a mistake......my baby is not a mistake.' Hailey thought to herself when her daughter Orla excitedly asked her mother to hurry up.

Edward Crane, the man Orla referred to as her grandfather had just arrived to take them out since it was her fifth birthday. Edward had gone to Hailey's neat two bedroom apartment.

The apartment in this secure complex belonged to LD Technologies Co the company that Hailey worked for as head of the Human Resources department. The twenty six year old had only been in that post for six months. Before that she was working for another company in the human resources department but not holding a higher position.

"I'm coming baby girl." Hailey grabbed her purse and rushed down the stairs to her daughter and the man she referred to as her godfather.

"Edward, it's always good to see you." She smiled and gave her godfather a kiss on the cheek.

"Good to see you too Hailey. We better hurry up and not disappoint someone here." Edward held Orla's tiny hand and the three got out of the apartment and headed for Edward's car which was parked in the complex car park.

Hailey's parents were killed in a car crush when she was ten. She was sent to an orphanage as none of her parents' relatives wanted to look after her.

Edward supported the orphanage and Hailey was introduced to him by Dorothy Plum the director of the orphanage. Hailey was told that Edward was the godfather who had pledged to take care of her education and all her needs.

Hailey was grateful to Edward as most of the children in the orphanage were not so lucky to have a sponsor like him. She only spent time at the orphanage during school holidays since Edward paid for her expensive boarding school. He also paid for her studies at a top university.

Fifty seven year old Edward was the chairman of Crane Group and two years ago made his now twenty nine year old son Casper the CEO of the Crane Group. His wife had been battling with cancer and he was hopeful now that she was in remission.

He built his fortune from scratch years back and his only son Casper was a senior executive in the company until he made him CEO. He made the decision as he wanted to dedicate his time to his wife who was battling with cancer then.

Edward opened the door for the back seat and carefully put the little girl in her seat whilst Hailey watched her excited daughter.

He opened the front passenger door and her goddaughter got in and fastened her seat belt as Edward went to open the driver door and got in. They started their journey to the exclusive hotel Edward had made reservations earlier on.

"I can't believe we have kept this tradition of the three of us having a meal on Orla's birthday." Hailey remembered when they started the tradition when Orla was three.

"How can I miss my granddaughter's birthday?" He said smiling at his goddaughter.

When Orla was four, Hailey deliberately didn't remind Edward as she wanted to find out if he would remember on his own. Edward called her when he was a few minutes away and they had laughed about it when she told him that she had waited to see if he was going to remember.

Upon reaching the hotel Edward, parked his car and quickly got out and helped Orla getting out of the car. Lilly a cheerful waitress welcomed them and led them to their reserved table and pulled the chair for Orla to sit on.

Edward pulled out the chair for Hailey to sit and he in turn took his seat next the birthday girl. There were served their meal and they started enjoying and chatting.

"How is Lynn these days?" Hailey asked about Edward's wife whom she had never met but knew that she had been battling with cancer.

"She has good and bad days but it's much better these days now that she is in remission." He replied checking whether Orla was eating her food.

They continued chatting about different topics and Edward was pleased that his goddaughter was enjoying her new job.

He later signalled Lilly to bring the birthday cake for the birthday girl. Lilly placed the cake on the table after the other waiters had cleared the table. Hailey as always hugged Edward and thanked him. Lilly and some of the waiters joined Hailey and Edward singing happy birthday to Orla.

The little girl was now giggling and clapping her hands when they were singing for her.

"Orla it's now time to cut your cake." Lilly helped Orla to cut her cake and helped her to share.

She had been working at the hotel for four years and was now witnessing this yearly tradition for the third time. The three waiters left the three to enjoy the rest of their celebrations.

"Well...well....well Chairman Crane, celebrating this young girl's birthday with her young mother when your wife is dying." Hailey turned as she heard a male voice and the clapping of hands.

She recognised the man as Edward's only son Casper who pulled a chair and sat next to Orla. Hailey was now observing father and son and could see that Edward was in total shock seeing his son.

Listening to Casper's statement, Hailey tried not to panic as she felt that she didn't do anything wrong. Casper was now staring at Hailey condescendingly and he immediately focused his attention on the little girl.

"My name is Casper Crane and what is your name young lady and how old are you?" He asked and kept his eyes on Orla. Hailey was now shaking her head as she had now seen what was happening.

'Oh...he thinks I'm his father's mistress.' She laughed internally.

"My name is Orla Richmond and I'm five years old." She said still smiling.

Turning onto Hailey Casper's eyes were now filled with hatred.

"Did he tell you that my mother was dying and be ready to take her place? Hmm......? You will be a fool to believe him because she beat the cancer." He was looking at her straight in the eyes.

Edward was calm and he was worried about Orla witnessing nasty exchanges between the adults.

"It's not what you think Casper. You got it totally wrong." Edward tried to make his son understand

With eyes filled with anger Casper shouted at his father. "Ok dad what is it, three years in a row seen in this hotel this same date with this woman and her daughter?"

Hailey was not comfortable with the situation. She had protected her daughter all her life and felt that this was not the time to let her daughter witness unpleasant exchanges.

"Edward me and Orla can take a taxi home." Hailey stood up and was about to leave, but Casper gestured her to sit down.

"No... no..., I'm the one who should be leaving." He said and Hailey did not respond.

"Happy birthday Orla. I cannot disturb a family outing." He got off his chair and marched out. Edward excused himself and followed his son. He caught up with him when he was about to get into his car.

"You're such an embarrassment dad, spending time with this girl not even caring for your own dying wife." Casper was pacing around shouting at his father.

"You know that your mother is not dying." Edward had now prevented his son from getting into his car by leaning on the driver's door and was very calm.

"Justin alerted me about your mistress and your daughter who surely looks like me. How could you do this to mom?" He was yelling at his father, and he pushed him away from the driver's door of his car and he got in.

Opening the window and shouting again. "I'm not going to hide this from mom."

He started the engine, and he was about to drive off when Edward shouted. "Hailey is not my mistress and Orla is not my daughter."

Casper scoffed. "Still taking me for a fool dad. If she is not your daughter, then whose daughter is she and why does she look like me?"

"Because she is your daughter Casper." Edward's response made his son stop the engine and got out of his car.

Edward had no intention of telling his son but knowing his son he knew that he was not bluffing when he mentioned that he wanted to tell his mother. Edward was now thinking of what his wife would do if his son presented her with this information.

"What are you talking about? Do you want to throw your mistress to me? Is that why you appointed me CEO? Is that it dad? Answer me." He had now grabbed his father's collar threatening to hit him.

"Stop it Casper! You and your friends almost destroyed that girl's life." Edward had now freed himself from his son and was now angry with him.

"The birthday gift that your friends handed you. Savages! Drugging a girl just because she is an orphan and handing her to you to do whatever you wanted with her."

Casper was in total shock and now had his entwined hands behind his neck and was now walking around aimlessly.

"Oh, my goodness! Are you telling me that this is the girl who sold her virginity?" He was looking straight into his father's eyes. He didn't give his father the chance to respond.

"What's happening dad? I knew something was wrong with that girl. Are you saying she was drugged?" Casper was now staring at the hotel entrance, and he could see Hailey and Orla standing watching the father and son arguing.

"Dad does she know?" His legs were now quaking, and his heart pounding uncontrollably thinking of what he could say to Hailey. He remembered the night very well and he was wondering how his father came to know about this and how he linked up with Hailey.

"She doesn't know anything, and we're going back there, and you are going to apologize, and we will help my granddaughter enjoy her birthday." Edward was now in control of the situation.

Casper walked behind his father, and they went towards mother and daughter. He had so many questions but was not going to ask at that particular moment.

"Grandpa I thought you had left without saying goodbye." Orla ran and hugged Edward.

"You know I would never do that." He lifted the little girl and glanced at his son who could read what his father wanted him to do.

"Apologies for my silly behavior, I'm Casper Crane Edward's son." He offered Hailey a handshake and she accepted.

"I'm Hailey Richmond and don't be too hard on yourself. Your reaction was understandable Mr. Crane." She said politely. She had no blood relationship with Edward so it was obvious one would assume that they were lovers.

"You can call me Casper." He said showing signs of nervousness and Hailey turned to talk to Edward who had his eyes on his son.

"Edward, I left Lily packing the cake for Orla and I should go and get it." Hailey went back inside and collected the cake. She didn't take time and came out and joined the father and son.

'What did Edward say to his son to make him behave differently?' She wondered as they walked to the car par.

Upon reaching the car park Edward informed his son that he wanted to drop off Hailey and Orla and would then go back to his hotel.

"Actually, I didn't get to taste the birthday cake so maybe I can take them home dad and stay for a few minutes tasting the cake. What do you think Orla?" He was avoiding eye contact with Hailey.

"Of course, son, that would be great." Edward quickly responded before anyone, and he told them that he was now going to his hotel as he was planning to leave early morning for his home.

'I have only seen this man on TV and in magazines. What am I going to talk to him about?' Hailey was battling with thoughts. If he had talked about the taking them home only, she would have refused but because he talked about having cake she had to agree.

Casper was every woman's dream. He was attractive and had a gorgeous body. He had been seen with different gorgeous women. Movie stars and models had accompanied him around.

Recently he had been spotted at a film premier and he was rumored to now being in a serious relationship with an A list actress.

Edward opened the passenger door for Orla and kissed her before helping her get into the car. Hailey quickly got into the passenger seat and sat next to her daughter.

Casper was still not sure what to do. In a normal situation he would have asked Hailey to sit on the front passenger seat as he always said that he didn't want to be like someone's driver.

Hailey and Orla waved at Edward as the car started moving towards the exit of the hotel car park.

When they arrived at her apartment Hailey held her daughter's hand and walked into their apartment with Casper following behind.

"Make yourself comfortable. I'm sorry the apartment is small." She offered her guest a seat and he sat on the lovely sofa next to Orla. Hailey could see her guest looking around.

'Of course, it's not like your luxurious home.' She thought to herself. Although small she was proud of herself for keeping the place neat even though it belonged to the company she worked for.

She placed the cake on the little coffee table in her living room and she glanced at her daughter and smiled. She remembered that her guest had come for a cake, so she went into the kitchen and got a knife to use for cutting three slices.

"Help yourself Mr. Crane." She took a slice and handed her daughter and could feel the glance from her handsome guest.

"You address an older man like my father by his first name and you refuse to address me a younger man by my first name." He remarked taking his slice. She was still avoiding eye contact and Casper's nervousness had disappeared.

"My father did not tell me much about you, only that you're not his mistress. How did you two meet and why didn't you invite your husband for the birthday meal?" She was somehow not surprised by his question.

"I'm not yet married and maybe your father can tell you how we met." She was not sure how much Edward wanted his family to know about their relationship, so the only way out was to let him ask his father on his own.

They finished eating their slices and Hailey checked the time and saw that it was time for her daughter to go to bed.

"Time for bed young lady let's go and brush our teeth." She was hoping that her guest would take his leave, but she saw that he was not going anywhere. She excused herself after asking her daughter to say goodnight to their guest.

'Why can't this man go to wherever he came from?' Hailey was cursing him internally when she followed her routine of brushing their teeth together with her daughter.

Upon finishing she took her daughter into her bedroom and helped her to put on her pyjamas. She carefully tucked her in her bed and kissed her good night. She went back and joined Casper who was walking around her living room looking at everything. He was now holding a portrait of Hailey and Orla.

"Have you lived here for long?" He asked still walking around. Hailey was not sure what he wanted as he had had the cake he asked for and she was not used to him.

"Six months now." She responded taking a seat and still watching the man whom she had known as her godfather's son.

"Where is Orla's father? I believed my dad when he said that he was not Orla's father." He had now thrown himself on the sofa and now staring at Hailey.

Beside Edward and the director of the orphanage she grew up, Hailey had never told anyone else about her ordeal. There was no way she was going to tell this man. Yes, he was Edward's son, but she was not any way close to him and this was a painful memory for her.

"It's late now, I think you need to go to your hotel. My apartment is small and obviously not luxurious as your home so I'm sorry I cannot offer you anywhere to sleep." His gaze was making her uncomfortable.

"Obviously your friends ask about your relationship with my dad. What do you tell them?" He was not moving his gaze away from her and she was wondering if somehow, he was not convinced about her relationship with Edward.

"To be honest I don't have friends or family to explain my relationship with Edward and since you insist on knowing, Edward is my godfather." She felt this was the only way she could make him leave.

"Everyone has someone they regard as their friend even not close." He said and she continued talking about her daughter being her only friend. She kept looking at the clock that hung in her living room and he could tell that she wanted him to leave.

Getting up from his seat Casper walked to Hailey who was sitting on the sofa adjacent to him. He lowered his gaze and stretched out his hand to offer a handshake.

"Ok Hailey Richmond, it was nice meeting you and your daughter and again apologies for my behavior earlier and thank you for the cake." He walked towards the door, and she just watched as he opened the door and left.

'Weird guy!' She said to herself as she locked the door, and she went into her small kitchen, and she drank some water before she went to check her daughter.

"Love you baby girl." She kissed her daughter who was fast asleep. The excitement of her birthday had tire her and that was why she slept without a fight.

Hailey went into her own bedroom and put on her blue silk night dress and picked up a book to read. She got into her bed, and she sat up and started reading, She was glad that Orla's birthday fell on a Friday which meant that she didn't need to worry about work tomorrow.

"What really happened tonight? What did Edward tell his son that made him change his assumption? So, he had been investigating his father?" She had so many questions hovering in her head.

She had always wondered why Edward chose to sponsor her. Since her placement in the orphanage Edward had been the only outside person who paid her a visit. His visits at the private boarding school were private and she would spend an hour or so talking to him in the headmistress's office.

Other girls knew that she was an orphan with a powerful sponsor and none of them dared to make fun of her for being an orphan as they were warned of the consequences of making other girl feel unsafe in the school.

They were however curious to know the sponsor, but she was warned of the danger of letting the other girls know. Some girls tried to be friends with her because they wanted to know more about her sponsor.

The only friends she trusted were the other orphans she stayed with during school holidays at the orphanage. When they were younger it was okay as the others just enjoyed the things, they got from Edward.

Things started changing in senior school years as some of the girls from the orphanage were jealous of her for being in private school and having a sponsor like Edward. She didn't really understand why as she was not even adopted, and she stayed with them during holidays.

Upon finishing university and getting a job, she pleaded with Edward that she wanted to take care of herself and her daughter.

She knew that if she wanted, he would have provided her with all the luxuries that rich girls got from their rich parents but didn't want to fool herself thinking that she was rich. She was only grateful that she had Edward and Mrs. Plum the director of the orphanage to count on.

She could not concentrate when she thought of Casper asking about Orla's father. Tears were now flowing down her pale cheeks as she remembered the day, she woke up naked in a luxurious hotel suite.

"My baby is not a mistake......my baby is not a mistake.' She was now sobbing.

Hailey vowed not to have any friends since she was betrayed by her friends when she was still in university. She vividly remembered two days after her twentieth birthday when her two best friends from the orphanage invited her out.