THE BILLIONAIRE BABY'S SECRET DADDY

Flora's POV

In my 25 years of living, I never thought that I would be getting married to the love of my life. While I was in high school, I had a childhood heartthrob, Michael Brooks, who I thought I would be spending the rest of my life with, but he messed up big time. I loved him with everything I had, but he betrayed me. Surprisingly Micheal cheated on me with my high school classmate, who I'm very sure isn't as beautiful as I am.

I've always despised cheaters because they cause nothing but trouble in the life of their partner. Michael was not only a cheat, but also a drug addict, who tends to beat me up whenever he gets intoxicated. He forgets everything and acts unreasonably whenever he takes the hard drugs. We were a loving couple back in the days in high school even with his deportment, until we graduated from high school and the level of his delinquency increased due to his idleness.

Our once loving and admired relationship turned into a very toxic one, which almost took my life. I was so afraid of leaving him back then because he always threatened to kill me if I ever left him.

My life was in jeopardy until I met Stanley. Stanley was the saving grace I had, have, and will always have. He saved me from my previous toxic relationship.

I can vividly remember our first contact with each other. I went to a bar with Michael to celebrate our sixth anniversary. The hangout was going smoothly with gists, laughter, and an easy flow of conversation until Michael decided to get himself high and he continued drinking heavily.

Then he started misbehaving, yelling at me for no reason, and as I tried to caution him without thinking twice Micheal pounced on me heavily with several blows to my face and body.

Who could have thought that the same man I was laughing with a few hours ago would end up causing me pain but because I was used to it, I didn't even flinch one bit even though the pain and fear were suffocating

I endured the pains and torments he inflicted on me until I noticed a tall handsome man holding and beating Michael up.

This is the first time someone actually came to my aid. Whenever Michael beats me, people only stand to look and watch the scene going on. They've never tried to stop him because they were scared of him, he doesn't leave anyone out who tries to interfere whenever the torture starts.

I couldn't tell my mum of the suffering all because of the love I had for Micheal, I know that's stupid but we've all done something crazy one way or the other in the name of love.

So when I realized that a gentleman like Stanley actually helped me that day, I not only felt thankful but also, felt my heart beat another kind of rhythm that day.

This man looks so handsome, rich, attractive and hottt. He introduced himself as Stanley Davis while I was still wrenching in pain on the ground.

I later found out he was one of the richest and powerful CEOs in the city which rendered me speechless. He was one of the masterminds behind political activities in the state due to his influence and power in politics.

"Hope you're good?", he asked me that night, his voice so deep and soothing that I nearly forgot how to breathe. He is surely a God-sent.

He later drove me home and asked for my contact information. Hesitantly I gave him and he made sure Michael was arrested and tortured for his domestic violence immediately, and that was the last time I ever set my eyes on Michael again.

And that was how we began a journey we never knew would come this far.

It's been four years since we started our captivated relationship, and now, our wedding is in three days!!! A stranger to a Saviour, and now a soon to be husband

Isn't that great?!!

I thought it only happened in love movies and romance novels, but I happened to witness one myself.

Stanley was everything I have always wanted and prayed to God for. He is a teacher, my best friend, my best companion, and everything I know that is good in this world.

He is my consolation price sent to me from God after the numerous heartaches I felt while I was still with Michael.

gurrrrrrrrrrrr

"Oh my God, I can't believe I'm hungry again!!", I exclaimed after snapping out from my trance state. I just ate not quite long, and now I'm hungry again. Oh my goodness

I ran to the kitchen to go prepare myself something to eat. Getting to the kitchen, I discovered I had nothing left to eat.

"I really need to go grocery shopping soon", I murmured to myself while I was confused and exhausted from the preparation of the wedding ceremony.

"What do I eat now that the kitchen is empty" I thought with a regretful face

While I was still deciding on what to eat, my phone rang and when I checked who it was, Lo and behold, it's Jessica, my best friend who traveled overseas six months ago

Hastenly, and happily, I picked up the call

"Heyyy, Jess, how're you doing?", I asked, my voice tinged with happiness

"I'm good Lora, how about you?", she said

From her voice, it shows a little bit of guilt and happiness simultaneously

"I'm fine", I began. "You haven't been picking up my calls since you left. It's unfair you know", my voice laced with sadness

"I'm very sorry sweetie, work has been hectic over here but don't worry I'll make it up to you. I promise", she said

"And how exactly do you intend to make it up to me?", I asked her, my voice tinged with curiosity and eagerness to know what she was planning.

She was quiet for a while before she dropped the bombshell "Guess what baby, I'm back!!"

She must be joking right?

"What? Seriously?", I began, my voice sounding so doubting. "You said you'd only come back once you're done with your project, and that's like, 6 months away from now"

"Well, baby, how do you expect me to miss your wedding? ehn?", she said. "Of course, I have to come back to celebrate with my baby Lora on her big day!!

"Silly"

I really can't believe this! Wow!

"Jess you're surely the best!!, you're such a darling, sincerely speaking", I said , my voice cracking because I was on the verge of shedding tears, "this has to be the happiest news today" I thought as I used my hand to wipe away the little tear coming from my eye

I felt so emotional, because I never expected her to come back to attend my wedding. Of course, she's supposed to since she's my best friend, but coming all the way from another country just to attend my wedding was really heartwarming for me. She traveled for business reason, and I'm very sure she must be very busy with that, but she still took out time for me

"You're the best!!", I told her again

"It's okay please, You're making me uncomfortable"

"Oh Jessica, you're really unbelievable", I chuckled while sniffing

I've forgotten Jessica doesn't like it when I thank her. She always says 'Thank you and Sorry isn't necessary in a very close friendship'

But, I must say, in this context, it is very needed.

"So, it's decided. I'm your chief bride's maid", she concluded herself, making me laugh out loud

I'd choose Jessica as my chief bride's maid over anybody, but since she traveled, I had to choose someone else. But, now she's going to be present, the role must surely go back to her

"Of course, you are!!",I told her, my voice tinged with lots of happiness

"Good then", she chuckled

"So baby, let's meet up", she said. "I would be waiting for you at the Skyline bar. Let's celebrate your last 3 nights as a single bitch like me!!"

"Yeah, sure. I'd be there in 30 minutes", I informed her hesitantly

"Alright baby, love you", she told me, her voice laced with happiness

"Love you too", I said then ended the call

Thank goodness, now I would eat out and enjoy myself with my best friend. There is no point going to the grocery store any longer

I rushed to the bathroom to freshen up and went to select the clothes I'd wear to meet up with my darling Jessica

After ten minutes of preparing, I stood in front of the mirror to look at myself with a beautiful skimpy blue gown I wore while humming to one of Sia's songs; Unstoppable.

I looked at myself one last time before I sent Stanley a text message, telling him that I'd be going out with Jessica and I would be back by 11 PM with a love emoji. I'd have loved to call him, but I was very sure he'd be very busy at work. There's no point disturbing him with calls when he would still read the text.

I left the house in a happy mood once I was very sure I had locked everything properly.

If only I had known that my action that day would descend into a living nightmare, I would have never stepped foot out of my house but fate had other plans for me, in an instant, my once admired world was shattered and crushed.

My life once filled with laughter, joy and happiness was turned into a miserable one filled with nightmares that left a big scar on my life and dignity.

Flora's POV

SKYLINE BAR

It's been more than five years since I visited this bar. The last time was when Michael and I were celebrating our anniversary, a day that I'd forever remember because of the bad and painful incident that happened, which made me consider the bar a bad place for me to be.

But the presence of Stanley in this bar that day really changed my perspective of the bar. That I could also get good experiences from here, and not just bad ones.

I shook my head to cast aside any negative thoughts or doubts from my head and took a deep breath before going inside.

Once I got in, I scanned the entire bar until my eyes fell on Jessica, who was already waiting for me. She raised her hands and waved at me to come to where she was sitting, with a smile on her face.

Sighting her from a distance I rushed towards where she was sitting and jumped on her. My heart swelled with excitement as our six-month separation melted away in an instant.

"How are you baby gal, you are looking dazzling," she said as we hugged ourselves tightly

"You don't look bad yourself darling", I told her while I kissed her cheeks

"I must say, Stanley is really taking good care of you. Just look at how you're glowing girlll", she exclaimed, her voice tinged with cuteness and happiness

I gave her a shy smile while thanking her for the compliment

She then ordered some drinks for us to take. Personally, I hate alcohol, but since I was with my best friend, who cares she insisted I enjoy myself to the fullest before I become another man's property.

"So, how is the wedding preparation going?", she asked dropping her wine glass on the table

"Hmm, it's going well", I told her

Then I continued to fill her in on how the preparation had been going

"That's wonderful. We'll go shopping for the bridal train tomorrow. I don't like the design of the gown I'm seeing here", she said, her voice telling me that there must be no objection to her suggestion

"As your lordship pleases Ma'am!!!", I playfully agreed with her, chuckling at how cute she sounded and we both burst into laughter, sharing happy moments together

Our discussion then shifted to her life and work abroad. She shared the challenges and difficulties she had been facing with her expression becoming more serious

"My boss is a dick", she complained, sighing frustratedly, rolling her eyes

One thing with Jessica is that once she doesn't like something about a particular person, she tends to insult the person using dirty words, there's nothing you'd ever do to convince her to change that. So, I'm very used to her vulgar words

"You can as well quit the job if he's giving you a hard time. Don't you think?", I asked, teasing her knowing fully well that she'd never adhere to it

"Oh noooo Lora. Who will pay my bills if I do that?", she said, sitting upright and staring at me like I was a fool for suggesting that

"Oh yeah, I know. I was only pulling your legs", I told her, chuckling at how cute she looks

We went on to another topic of discussion until I started feeling pressed, so I had to excuse myself to go to the restroom

"Hmm, Jess I think I need to go to the restroom for a bit", I informed her, standing up quickly to release myself before my bladder explodes

"Okay baby", she told me, sipping from her glass of wine

****

On my way out of the restroom to go join Jess back, I noticed the presence of someone staring at me from afar

I turned to look in that direction, but there was nobody there, so I became confused and really anxious as I walked a little bit faster. I noticed the person staring at me again and turned to look, but there was no one there.

"I must be imagining things", I said to myself, shaking my head to cast aside any negative thoughts from my head while I was still walking fast

Klarrrrrr!!!!

I heard a noise coming from the direction that I once felt the gaze

"Who's there?", I asked hesitantly, moving towards the dead silent side even though I was scared and no one was around

While I moved closer I saw a man in a black jacket with a face cap that covered his face, I couldn't see him or recognize him as he was walking away from me, very quickly at that

I was about to chase after him when I heard Jess calling my name from behind

"Lora, where are you going?", she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity

I stopped and turned back

"Hmm well, I felt someone was watching me, but when I looked in that direction, I saw someone but couldn't recognize the person", I said. "I was about to come back to meet you, but I heard a sound from over there ", I said, pointing in the direction I was heading to

"Then I saw the person dressed in black, moving away from me. I think he was watching me", I told her, feeling worried and curious

"Why would someone be watching you?", she asked me, moving towards the direction where the man was standing initially

She looked around and then came back to where I was

"I think you might be seeing things dear. It might be due to the stress of the wedding", she said, trying to comfort me

"Yeah, maybe", I said to her, also trying to make my mind at peace while I still stared at the place where I saw the mysterious man that suddenly disappeared

On our way back to the table where we were seated, we continued our discussion until Jessica's phone started ringing

"Hmm Lora baby, why don't you just go in first while I answer this call", she said. "It's my mom" and she excused herself

"Oh alright, dear. Please say hello to her from me", I told her, moving back inside to the bar parlor

"Okay love", she said, putting her phone to her ear

****

Inside the bar

I was sipping my wine from the bottle, harmonizing with the slow jam in the bar while waiting for Jessica to come back

She was taking a lot of time. It's more than 20 minutes already, and she's not yet back which made me curious and wonder what must be delaying her

I stood up to go look for her. Immediately I stood up, I felt so dizzy, and my head started aching me

I was about to fall because I couldn't wander properly until I felt a strong arm around my waist preventing me from falling.

"Who's this? He looks familiar to me" I thought as I slowly became unconscious and my eyes closed slowly

I couldn't fathom who he was, because my eyes were feeling too heavy for me to open

But one thing is for sure, I know this man.

Due to the dizziness, I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. Then, everything went blank.

*****

THE NEXT MORNING

I woke up to my head aching like never before. I slowly opened my eyes and tried to familiarise myself with my surroundings, but it looked so different and new to me

"Where am I?", I asked myself, placing my hands on my head to soothe my aching head

"You're in my bedroom sweetheart", I heard a familiar male voice beside me

I turned to the direction of the voice, and I froze

The last person I expected to see was the person beside me right now. And besides that, we were on the same bed!!!

I looked down at myself, praying within me that what I was thinking in my head wouldn't be exactly what happened.

Unfortunately, it was. I was naked under the duvet. Like we were both naked!!!

I turned to look at the man, who I thought was now far from me. The one man who I thought was now my past. He's here in front of me, and that too, on the same bed with me.

Michael Brooks, my toxic ex-boyfriend!!!

FLORA's POV

My eyes widened in shock!, my body trembling and paralyzed with fear!!!. "How did this happen, Micheal?!" I questioned loudly holding the duvet to my chest tightly

"Don't look so surprised baby, it's me. Your one and only Michael. I know you must have missed me a lot, right", he said, giving me a wicked grin

I couldn't look him in the eyes because I felt so ashamed of myself.

"You were so fierce last night baby. You kept asking for me again and again, and I couldn't resist not granting your request", he said, chucking like a devil that he is

"Why did you do this to me, Micheal?" I questioned with a teary voice. I had to hold myself before I gave in to the tears wailing in my eyes.

I shouldn't be here. I stood up from the bed, using the duvet to cover myself. In a rush, I bent down to pick up my clothes and left the room to the bathroom

"Hey, listen to me. Where are you going?", I heard Michael's voice from behind me, shouting like a fool that he is

After five minutes, I came out from the bathroom still confused and unable to comprehend what had happened. Michael was still sitting on the bed with his phone. It seems like he was waiting for me

"Listen to me Michael, whatever happened between us was a mistake, and you know that. So please stay away from me", I told him. "I only love Stanley, and I'm getting married to him soon, so please do not come to disrupt my joy," I said, my voice laced with strict warning.

Immediately I turned and moved towards the exit door after I had spoken my mind. Without hesitation, I slammed the door shut behind me not minding any response he must have given or wanted to give

****

FLORA's APARTMENT

Consumed by regrets as I tried to replay the events of last night in my head. How could I have been so reckless to the point that I actually slept with Micheal, my toxic ex two days before my wedding?

Have always claimed to hate cheaters, but unfortunately, I turned out to be one.

Hot tears gently roll down my cheeks as I think about Stanley, the man who has always stood beside me, and loved and cared for me dearly. All have done now is repay his trust with betrayal

I can't forgive myself. My body trembling with despair and fear, the fear of losing the one person who truly mattered to me

My fingers clutched at the bed sheets and my tears soaked into the pillow I used to cover my face

How do I face Stanley? It's two days to our wedding, and I went ahead to sleep with my idiotic ex-boyfriend. Will this be the end of my happy journey with Stanley? I thought as I sat lonely at the edge of my bed

'How about you tell him the truth?', a little voice in my head suggested

That isn't a good idea and it can lead to the end of this relationship. But it is also better to tell him myself than for him to hear about it outside but will he ever forgive me? All these thoughts kept roaming in my head until it was interrupted by the ringing of my phone.

It's Stanley calling!. Once more, all the guilt I felt started coming back.

I couldn't believe that a call from Stanley that always makes me happy would ever leave me feeling nervous and scared.

What do I do? I shouldn't have gone to that bar. Once again, SKYLINE BAR has given me another reason to hate my existence. I really hope Stanley forgives me this time around.

But, what if he doesn't? I was totally confused

I summoned the courage to tell him

I decided to pick up Stanley's call, having made up my mind to let him know of the tragic incident.

I'd plead for his forgiveness, and if he decided that he wouldn't continue with the wedding, then I'd respect his decision and pay for my reckless action.

"H-hello", I stuttered, my voice shaking

"Hmm, hello. Seems like you forgot you had a fiancé right?", he said, his voice laced with teasing

I felt even more guilty because he was actually right. We haven't spoken since yesterday, because I was busy getting screwed by my toxic ex-boyfriend.

Oh God!!!!!

Way to go Flora!! What's with your talks about hating cheaters??!!

"I'm very sorry darling", I told him my voice was barely audible enough to be heard.

"Are you okay, my love?" he asked his voice firm and laced with concern. I'm very sure he isn't convinced that I'm okay because my voice might sound otherwise

"Hmm, I want to discuss something with you", I told him, feeling very guilty

My heart was beating so fast that I thought it was going to explode

"Okay, love. I'll come over to your place then. But, hope you're feeling okay. Nothing is wrong with you right?", he asked, his voice laced with worry

This only made me feel more guilty. How did I end up with someone this good and still cheat on him? I thought

I held myself back from crying because Stanley did not deserve what I was about to tell him

"Yes baby, I'm fine. Please just be quick. Get here soon", I told him and hung up the call before I could even hear his response

Hot tears ran down my cheeks as I held my gown tightly with my slender arm. I really messed up, and because of this silly mistake of mine, I might lose Stanley forever

I was still weeping, when I noticed that my phone was vibrating and I looked to see who the caller was, thinking it was Stanley, but it was Jessica

"Hello Lora!", she said with a worried voice. "How're you, my love? Hope you're fine. I've been calling you since yesterday but,..."

"I cheated on Stanley with my ex, Michael", I interrupted her, my voice sounding teary

"What??. Oh my God", she exclaimed. "How did it happen? When exactly?".

I knew she could not also believe it from the way she responded, of all the people that I could have made this grave mistake with, why must it be Micheal?

With the little strength left in me, hesitantly, I explained everything I knew and could remember to her.

"Ohhh Lora baby, please stop crying. It's not your fault. I'm very sure Stanley would understand", she tried to comfort me

But, I'd say that it's not working. I still feel guilty for everything. I shouldn't have gotten drunk, I shouldn't have gone to SKYLINE BAR. I'm so stupid!!!!!!

"Stanley doesn't deserve what I did to him, I shouldn't have done that to him", I said, with tears in my eyes

"Yeah, I know baby. I'll come see you later in the evening. Okay?", she said, her voice tinged with worry

"Okay Jess, I'll be waiting", I told her, sniffing and wiping a little tear from my eye

"So, what's the plan? Do you want to inform him?", she asked, her voice sounding worried

"Of course, I have to. He needs to know the kind of person he was getting married to. It's better I told him than for him to hear about it elsewhere", I told her, feeling bad about myself

"Okay dear, if that's what you've decided, then it's fine. I'd support you. I believe everything will be alright", she said trying to comfort and give confidence even though I wasn't

"Thank you baby", I appreciated her support

Our discussion was interrupted when I heard my doorbell sound

"Hmm Jess, I think Stanley is here. We'll talk later", I informed her

"Okay, Lora. You can do it. Take care", she said, and hang up the call

I walked to the door to open it. Normally, I'd feel so elated to open the door for Stanley, but now I seem to be walking very slowly to the door. My heart was beating very fast with each sound of the doorbell I heard. I wonder how he'd react to this bombshell I'm about to drop.

I breathed in and out and summoned the courage to open the door.