PREGNANT FOR MY DAD'S RIVAL

Mila's POV .....

Guests had just started arriving at the venue, and the hotel was buzzing with our company shareholders, partners, other business moguls from around the city, and even bank owners in celebration of my Dad's 50th birthday. One thing people in business never joke about is networking and good business relationships.

I welcomed most of the guests as my Dad had requested, but my mind kept swaying back to the events that happened earlier that day......

I had gone to pick up some jewelry I left at my boyfriend's place that morning before heading for the hotel where the event would take place.

Felix, my boyfriend, was my plus one for the night, but he said he was busy at work and wasn't going to be able to check in with me at the hotel that morning, but he promised not to miss the event.

I used the spare key Felix had given me for his apartment during our first anniversary to let myself in. I was about to open the bedroom door when my hand stopped midway to the door knob as I heard the sounds of skin slapping and the unmistakable moans of a woman calling my boyfriend's name reached my ears.

I was so shocked that tears began to pool in my eyes. I turned the doorknob and embraced myself for the most heartbreaking sight of my boyfriend f*cking someone from behind in his bedroom. I could not see the girl's face as his body frame covered hers.

I stormed off after slamming the door. I could hear his footsteps behind me with him calling out

"I can explain, babe, please wait". I heard him call from a distance as I had already picked up my pace and dashed into the car.

As I drove, I let my tears pour down my face. I felt betrayed and angry. I had to park at a spot because my vision had become so blurry that I couldn't even see the road properly.

I knew I couldn't be late for my Dad's birthday dinner in the evening, so I wiped my tears and told myself that Felix could wait.

I wasn't going to allow him to ruin this night for me, as I was determined to meet and talk to most of the shareholders at the company that night to find out what their stand was with me as the new CEO after my Dad's retirement. I also wanted to meet other business owners in the city as partnership was always very important.

When I arrived at the hotel, I checked in and had my bath, put on a little make-up. I really did not need to do much when it came to my face, as my facial features were already quite defined.

I put on a simple evening gown that had an open back that rested just above my waist. I had let my hair fall compared to the usual bun I always put it in.

That night was about me making an appearance, as many business moguls all around New York City were going to be in attendance. If I were to become the new CEO of my Dad's company, then networking would be a top priority.

"Miss Grayson! Miss Grayson!". A business associate I was having a conversation with called out, bringing my mind back to the present after she noticed I had zoned out during the conversation.

"Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom," I said after giving a curt nod. I needed to regain composure, so I didn't make a fool of myself tonight.

I just needed to make it to the evening, as most of the guests would have been tired of conversing by then, and I could allow my thoughts to roam free, but for now, I had to keep them in check.

I returned to the event and continued welcoming guests until I heard the voice of the one person I had been trying not to think of all evening.

" Mila, please, can we talk privately?" Felix said while placing his hand in the small of his back. It took every ounce of self-control in me not to turn and slap him.

But I knew better than to create a scene at an event as big as this.

We had stepped into an empty lobby to talk.

"What is it, Felix?". I started talking

"I just want to explain myself, Mila. What you saw this morning was a mistake". He continued

" You know I won't do anything to intentionally hurt you," Felix said as he moved to touch me. I quickly moved back, creating even more distance between us.

"A mistake! A mistake! Felix really?" I said back, not even realizing that my voice had increased. Felix's face looked surprised at my outburst.

"Felix, I can't deal with this right now. You know how important this event is to me. I don't want you messing this up for me either."

"Mila, can you just chill? You can't tell me that the whole time we have been together, you haven't slept with anyone else. These things happen in relationships, we just have to move past them." Felix said with a smirk on his face.

At that moment, I wondered how I would even date someone like him.

"Felix just do me a favor and get the f*ck out of my life. Never contact me or show up at my place or, in fact, anywhere around me." I pushed at his chest and moved past him to the door.

As I was about to reach for the door handle, I felt his hand on my waist. He held my waist with so much force and pressed my body against his.

"You don't think I will let you go just like that without one more taste." He said with a sinister laugh.

"Let me go, Felix! This is a public event and there are guests everywhere. You wouldn't want to try anything funny."

Rather than heading to what I said, he locked the door with his free hand and pressed me to the door as I struggled to break free from his hold. Just as he was about to kiss me, he was quickly yanked by someone from behind.

I raised my head and my eyes met a pair of icy blue eyes.

Zaden's POV...

Tonight was my parents' death anniversary. I lost my parents when I was five years old in a car accident. My mum died during the accident while both my Dad and I survived.

But when the news of my mum's death reached my Dad, the doctor said his heart gave up, and he passed away that same day.

I had been in a coma for about 5 months after the accident. So I really didn't have much of a memory about the accident. Just what my grandparents had told me. My grandparents raised me as their child, and I was the only heir to the Blackwell empire.

When I got the invite to Mr Grayson's 50th birthday celebration, I was skeptical about attending, as Mr Grayson and I were not really friends; we were more like business rivals since I had tried purchasing his company a few years back when it was on the verge of bankruptcy.

I made up my mind to attend eventually because I wasn't ready to be left alone with my thoughts, as this day was usually a torment for me. I usually spend this day with my grandparents at their mansion, but I had been avoiding them for months due to their constant nagging about an heir, which I was already bored with.

The event had just started, and I decided to retreat to an empty room to gather my thoughts. I had lit one of my cigarettes when the door opened and two people who seemed to be having a heated conversation walked in.

They were so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn't noticed my presence. Neither did I want to give myself away as I wasn't in the mood for any form of interaction.

It wasn't until the other guy, who, after overhearing their conversation, was the boyfriend, tried to force himself on her. I could be many things, but I could never stand women's abuse. That's when I decided to step in

I dragged him from behind and threw him to the floor. That's when my eyes met hers. She had gray eyes, which were full of surprise. I knew I had seen those eyes somewhere. We were still in a stare-down as I tried to recall where I had seen them, before it finally clicked- it was Miss Grayson.

I remember those eyes because of how they stared daggers at me during the negotiation meeting held some few years back when their company was on the verge of bankruptcy.

We were still holding each other's gazes when the bastard tried to lurch a punch at me.

Thanks to my fast reflexes, he missed and ended up punching the wall. He cursed out loud as he looked at me in fury.

This wasn't how I planned on spending the night exchanging punches. But it was a good way for me to let out some steam. I had landed a few punches to his torso before I let him fall to the ground.

"You b*tch! So it seems I wasn't the only one humping another person, huh? Yet you dare judge me acting all self-righteous. Well, good thing I also got to see your side piece too". He spat out at Miss Grayson, who just stared at him in disbelief at the words coming out of his mouth.

I had put a call to my assistant, Alex, to come see him before he caused any more trouble or a scene.

"I don't need anyone to see me outside as I am already on my way out. Have fun with your side piece". He blurted out as he side-stepped my assistant.

All the while, Miss Grayson didn't reply to the bastard; she just held his gaze in disbelief.

I couldn't help but wonder how someone like Miss Grayson would end up dating such a weak piece of sh*t.

I didn't know much about her, but from the little I knew from my research on Grayson Enterprise, she was a strong young lady who was actually the brains behind Grayson Enterprise.

After he left, Miss Grayson and I were enveloped in an uncomfortable silence.

Until a sob broke out.

I was shocked watching her break down. She subconsciously leaned into me as she cried with her shoulders shaking. I guess this day wasn't only bad for me.

She had stopped crying yet was still in my embrace as I gently stroked her back. I didn't even know why, but I wanted to just care for her until she was okay. I guess the day had also gotten to me because even my own actions shocked me.

Soon she regained composure without a trace of the woman who had just been crying a few minutes ago.

"Well, thank you for taking care of Felix, but make no mistake, I haven't forgotten who you are, Mr Blackwell !!". She said and looked at me with the same eyes she had at that meeting.

I was a bit shocked at how quickly she regained composure. Just as I was about to speak, her phone rang and she left, taking the call.

Alex had been waiting by the door for me. Once Miss Grayson left, he went in. I knew he must have heard her sobs.

"Save what you are about to say. I am not in the mood to hear it."

While Alex waved his hands in the air, feigning surrender, with a smirk on his lips.

Then, with a serious expression, he said:

"You might want to see this. "There have been some recent discoveries about your parents' accident".

He handed some papers to me, which confirmed my earlier suspicions.

I suddenly needed a drink. I decided to retreat to my hotel room for the night. Then I helped myself with a few drinks. That was when I heard the door open.

I was already feeling lightheaded and dizzy, but I could perceive her sweet smell of vanilla and her eyes, which looked familiar. But I couldn't really place it.

Mila's POV...

"Hi Eliza, have you arrived?" I said as I picked up the phone, leaving Mr Blackwell.

Eliza always had a habit of showing up late, so it wasn't unusual when I received her call. I had spent quite some time with Mr Blackwell as the event had already progressed quite far when I caught up with Eliza. She was waiting for me at the bar where I joined her.

"Here, have a drink. You seem to have had a long day". She said, looking me in the eye.

"That obvious, huh?".

"Well, there's no bad day, a drink or two won't solve". Eliza said with a grin.

Eliza and I were just a few years apart. My Dad got married to Eliza's mum after my mum had passed. My mum died during childbirth, and I really didn't know much about Eliza's mum because, shortly after, she also died.

My Dad both cared for me and Eliza, but I always looked out for Eliza more as she tended to be both nonchalant and reckless at times. Even though we were stepsisters, I didn't consider her as such.

Eliza said she couldn't stay for long because she had other business to attend to. I didn't really give much thought to her leaving early as she didn't really care much for family and even company events. I was grateful she at least showed up for Dad's birthday.

"Before you go, at least, let's go and wish Dad a happy birthday. I hadn't even seen him all evening". We wished our Dad a happy birthday and Eliza left. I went back to the bar for a couple more drinks.

I was already feeling light-headed and dizzy even before I could help myself with another cup. It seemed I had enough for the night. I decided to retreat to my hotel room for the night, not minding staying until the end.

The next day......

I had woken up with a throbbing headache as I opened my eyes slowly to my surroundings, and I realized the room didn't really look like mine. I was still feeling quite dizzy.

I was wrapped in a duvet completely naked. Shit! What happened last night?

Panic started to creep in as flashes of the night before danced just out of reach. I was still trying to piece it all together when I heard a low groan beside me.

That was when I turned and met those same pair of icy blue eyes staring at me in shock too. I let out a piercing scream right before his hands were on my lips, covering them.

After he saw, I had stopped screaming and struggling. That was when he removed his hands.

"What did you do?"

"Did we really have sex?" I wanted to hear something different from what my mind was screaming at me.

"Well, from the appearance of things, we did..." He replied in an indifferent tone.

That was when I looked around and saw clothes littered on the floor. The room looked like a total mess. The night actually seemed to be heated too badly. I didn't recall any of it.

"Why the smug-looking princess? "Never had a one-night stand?" he said in a sarcastic tone while he pulled out a lighter to light the cigarette already between his lips.

I was still in shock, trying to wrap my head around how I ended up in bed with the one man I couldn't even stand.

"So where is the camera or the tapes you took? Because I know this is a plan of yours to paint me badly to the media or blackmail me. What exactly do you want?". I said now, yelling.

"Oh, you wound me, princess. I am not one of those business people who stoop so low to get what they want through such dirty means. I work hard for my money. Besides, why would I save you from your stupid ass boyfriend only to end up doing the same? "You seem to have forgotten you were the one who came to my room and begged for it." He said in a mocking tone.

I didn't believe him, but he actually made sense. Why would he stop Felix from taking advantage of me when he could have easily used it to his advantage, I thought to myself.

He seemed to have noticed my flushed cheeks.

" It seems you're already hungry for a second round, Princess?". He continued in his sarcastic tone.

"Stop calling me princess, and if you don't mind, I will need some privacy to get changed".

"Privacy? But I have already seen all of you. There's no need to be shy".

Before I could reply to him. He dragged me into his lap. I was now straddling him.

"Mr Blackwell, I don't quite remember what happened last night, but it will be nice for us to never cross paths again or speak about this ever again". I said still on top of him. Before, I grabbed a shirt beside him and dashed off to the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

I held my chest closely as I felt air constricting in my lungs, wondering how, in just two days, my life seemed to be going in the wrong direction. Had I really drunk that much that I blacked out? I heard his room door open and thought he was probably leaving.

When I came out of the bathroom with his shirt now covering me, he was no longer in the room.

I quickly picked up the remaining of my belongings and went to my own room. My room was right next to Mr Blackwell's room. I knew all the guests had been assigned rooms before the evening, and I could see how I might have mistakenly ended up in Mr Blackwell's room. Maybe he didn't lie after all. I actually was the one in his room.

When I entered my room, I could finally breathe. That was when my phone rang in my hands, and my father's name popped up.

Oh shit. I thought to myself. My Dad usually never calls except when there's an emergency; otherwise, he usually just emails, and that is mostly about work. I tried to calm myself from worrying. After all, it could be about the new CEO appointment. I picked up the phone after a few deep breaths.

"Hello Dad"

"Report to the office immediately, I have called for an emergency meeting now with the board". My Dad said on the phone in a stern voice.