CEO Leo’s Baby Mama Is Back

Chapter 89 The settlement

LEO’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.

Chloe exhaled tiredly as she walked down the stairs to the kitchen, her body felt heavy. When she told Desire about it, she had mentioned it’s the fatigue that comes with early morning sickness. She doesn’t like the feeling that comes with it and she finds herself craving for more food to eat. It’s barely morning but she already craved for something spicy, thankfully their in house chef is one of the best at what she does, she doesn’t have to worry about not getting what she wants.

She looked back at the door that leads to the room she shares with Leo. Chloe misses him badly, but knowing the situation of things between them, she is trying hard to work the courage and probably tell him the truth about the pregnancy just like her godmother had advised. Even though it was hard for her to swallow, she just had to accept the consequence of her action.

Cheating on Leo in the first place was something she never should have done no matter how drunk she was. And it wasn’t once, the second time was more intentional. There was just something about Zac that kept drawing her to him and the curiosity got the best of her which was why she didn’t resist the voice whisper that asked her to go to him again. Also, he seem to be preoccupied with a lot of things, especially regarding the case of paternity fraud. She didn’t want to be another unwanted luggage and had chosen to keep to herself.

Chloe could almost imagine the disappointment and disgust Leo would have on his face and how his thoughts of her would change for good. That alone would break her heart real bad. Shaking the thoughts off her head, she settled into the dining chair after calling the chef to make her something nice and edible to eat. Sooner or later, she would no longer be able to hide her belly. For days she had cried all day and night, her face was swollen from the constant tears and her body seem to not hold enough fluids to keep up any longer. Accepting fate seem like the best thing to do.

Thanking the chef for the food, she ate in a rush with the intention of returning to her room and not get to see Leo. She would have asked for the food to be brought to her, but for some reason she loved the idea of having to eat the food few seconds away from where it was prepared. She hummed delightfully to herself as she chewed on the food, it tasted extremely delicious.

Leo chuckled to himself as he watched her from the top of the stairs, she looked really cute eating innocently like that. He didn’t want to ruin her mood since he knows she is clearly avoiding him. He went back to the room after sending a message to the chef to let him know when Chloe gets done with her meal. It didn’t take long for him to get the response. He met her in the middle of the stairs when she was trying to escape again.

“Good morning, baby. I will like to talk to you.” Leo said to her holding her gaze.

Chloe blinked rapidly, it took her a tiny second to realize she has been caught in a corner. “Now?”

He nodded. “Yes, please.”

“Okay.” Her response was a bit too tight.

“Let’s talk in the room.” He urged.

Chloe followed him obediently without complaint, she stood still when they entered the room until he gestured for her to sit on the couch. Sighing in resolve, she sat on it looking down at her fingers.

Leo cleared his throat, “I want to apologize to you, Chloe. I know I have been nothing short of an asshole. I am sorry, Chloe. I can be a bit overboard most times. It’s just an uncontrollable act for me.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Leo. I am to blame for whatever happened. I was just desperate and I had no way out.”

“Are you really pregnant?” He asked with a bit of restraint.

A weak smile appeared on her face. “It would be eight weeks in a few days.”

A gasp escaped Leo’s lips, but he tried his best to not show his surprise or appear judgmental. “Is the pregnancy really mine?”

Her heart paced rapidly, biting hard on her lips. Chloe huffed holding his gaze. “It’s not you, Leo.” She told him with tears in her eyes.

He didn’t give off any reaction. “So…how did it happen? Our love story might not be the best, Chloe but I know you will never cheat on me. Who is he?”

Chloe sobbed quietly. “It was that night I left your mom’s party angrily. I got drunk and hooked up with my neighbor, Zac.”

“Zac? Do I know him?”

“Yes, he is Darby’s friend.”

That had Leo taken aback, he didn’t think it would be someone so close. For some reason he doesn’t feel hurt about her revelation. He is more concerned about how Chloe is feeling. “So it’s a one night stand.” He stated.

She shook her head, bowing her head in shame. “I’m sorry, Leo. It’s not a one night thing…I went back to him again. I guess that was when conception happened. Forgive me for cheating on you, I promise it wasn’t my intention. All I wanted was to be with you. I even tried to abort it, but the doctor warned my life would be on the line if I tried it. I didn’t mean to bring this embarrassment to you. I can’t look you in the eyes because of what I have done.”

Leo shifted closer to the couch reaching for her hands. “Don’t be like that, Chloe. I am also just as fault as you are. I should have paid you more attention. But I was too selfish with my feelings that I thought you were just too much of a bother. I never should have continued with this marriage, Chloe. I was just too scared of hurting you, but I realize my inaction had brought about a lot of hurt to you. I can’t remember the last time I saw you laugh delightfully. I practically dimmed your light and I feel so bad for pulling you along to this union.”

The tears rolled heavily on her face, “I could have put an end to it too. But I just wanted you so bad. Even when I cheated I still didn’t walk away politely. I promise, Leo. This wasn’t intentional, except the second one was.”

“Does the father know?”

“I had to tell him because my godmother asked me to. But he said it can’t be his.”

A scoff escaped his lips, he has always known Zac couldn’t be counted on. “What excuse did he give?”

“I am a supposedly married woman, Leo. It would be impossible for him to believe the child is his.”

“Let’s just forget about him. I am sorry once again, Chloe.”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“I’m sorry too.” She mused. “What do you plan to do now that I am carrying somebody else’s baby?”

“We don’t have to discuss that now. We would sort it out one step at a time.” He assured.

She nodded slowly. “We would.”

Kneeling in front of her, he hugged her close to him. “How are you feeling?” He asked, caressing her swollen face.

Chloe shrugged, trying to hold up a smile. “I have been wetting my pillow with tears. Aside sleeping and eating, I haven’t done much. Even though some clients have been reaching out to work for them, I just didn’t have the courage to move on with my life when we aren’t on good terms.”

Leo chuckled lightly, pulling at her cheeks softly. “You have always been the thoughtful one. We are in this together. I’m sure you have a place in mind to go. Will you get dressed and let me take you to someplace nice?”

“Aren’t you going to work?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I am the CEO after all.” He grinned, helping her to get up.

A genuine laughter crossed her face finally putting Leo at peace. Her eyes brightened after the burden had been lifted off her shoulder. Aaron was right after all. They didn’t have to go at each other’s throat to reach a compromise.

***************************************

BOWLING ALLEY, LOS ANGELES.

Leo cleared his throat next to Aaron as he rolled the ball. “Until when do you intend to keep malice with me?” He asked. Aaron pretended not to hear him and kept playing. “Come on, man! How long do you intend to keep up with this attitude?”

Turning away from the place, Aaron went to the sitting spot. He grabbed his bottle of water and drank from it. “I only talk to sensible people as it is.”

Laughing, he sat next to him. “This is the longest you have gone without talking to me.”

“You deserved it.” He said not looking at him.

“I’m sorry, Aaron. I know I can be insensitive sometimes. It’s why I have you as a friend. I can’t be aware all the time, it’s why we have each other. I miss you.”

He tried to suppress the grin making its way to his face. “Well, I don’t.”

“Say all that you want.” He mumbled pulling his head underneath his armpit.

They struggled with each other laughing loudly. Leo finally felt relieved now that he had settled with his friend.

“How is Chloe doing?” Aaron asked, as they made their way to the bar.

Leo nodded. “She is feeling much better now. I had to make her step out of the house. I can tell Desire would love to have my head for treating her goddaughter unfairly.”

“I would do same if I were in her shoes. So, have you both discussed on the pregnancy?”

“Before you crucify me. I was right about the baby not being mine.”

“Did she cheat?”

“It wasn’t intentional. It was a one night stand that didn’t mean anything.” Leo said, he has no intention of exposing the entire truth. Chloe’s dignity should be protected till the end.

“Hmmm, I hope she knows the father?”

“You would be shocked to know who it is ”

Aaron sat up in curiosity. “I know the person?”

“Yes, it’s Zac.” He stated.

“Zac? The same one who was involved in the fake paternity fraud?”

“Yes, that one.”

“Wow, he seems to have interest in all the women around you. Sweet. Does he know about the child yet?”

“Yes he knows but he denied it.” Leo kissed his teeth at that. He couldn’t get the thought off his mind, he felt the need to make Zac realize how dumb he is to have made Chloe out to be a liar.

“Is he crazy or something?”

“I tell you, Aaron. I will love to plummet his face for making Chloe feel like that. I know I haven’t been on my best behavior too. But I really can’t let it slide like this.”

“Do you have a plan? Should we pull up intimidation 2. 0 on him?”

A mischievous grin appeared on Leo’s face, intimidation was their way of going against any boy that tries to mess around with Scarlett. Even though they have only done one prominent successful one. It just feels good getting unreasonable boys and men to act right.

“I will like that. He needs to learn she isn’t just anyone to mess around with.”

“Do you have his home address?”

Leo laughed. “He would call the police on us for real.”

“How about we just meet up casually. Is there anyone who can give us his contact?”

“I don’t think there is a need to do that. The tabloid gave necessary information about him. He works at Essence and I know his name.”

“I am in very much mood to get into some kind of adrenaline rushed run. Can we go now?”

“Definitely, let’s drive in one car. I will call one of my driver’s to pick my car up.”

Aaron scoffed. “Sometimes, I forget that you are one fucking billionaire. And why do you not make use of your drivers most times?”

“It’s draining when I want to drive out on my own and end up waiting for them to come get me. I love the freedom that comes with driving on my own. So are you ready to come with me or we would keep talking?”

He did a dramatic bow. “Let’s make a move for it, your majesty.”

It turned out Aaron’s old friend or probably ex works at the receptionist at Essence and she looked very hung up on Aaron. Just a few jokes and she didn’t hesitate to give up Zac’s working room. Leo and his friend had a good laugh at how easy that was for them. Zac looked engrossed in a dress that he was putting pins on when they entered the space filled with mannequins of very intricate dress designs. He is no doubt a busy man.

“Wow, I didn’t know where dresses are made is such a big deal.” Aaron mumbled loudly, unable to hide his surprise.

Zac jolted up from the dress, he didn’t realize anyone had walked in. His assistants must have left the door open when they stepped out. He blinked rapidly at the sight of Leo. Squaring his shoulder, he frowned.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

Leo glanced at Aaron. “Don’t look at me, I would like to have a good tour of this space. You should be able to handle him.” The latter said walking away as promised. “I should get one of this for my mom, she would love it and I can bet she would look very beautiful.” He trailed on.

“Traitor.” Leo mumbled under his breath.

“I want to believe we aren’t on the best terms for you to casually stroll into this place like you own it.” Zac said with a edge to his voice.

He scoffed, “I see you have got an attitude. I would expect that you would maintain that till the end. I heard what happened between you and Chloe. If you are man enough like you always do around Darby, you should take responsibility for it.”

Zac gulped at the abrupt accusation, but he was quick to get himself. “What do you mean? I see you have a problem with my closeness with Darby which shouldn’t be of concern to you, if you keep to your wife’s side.”

Leo took a close intimidating step towards him, “I didn’t think you were uncomfortable too. You shouldn’t be because Darby obviously wants nothing to do with you. She still wants me.”

Clenching his fist, he moved an inch closer. “Don’t you dare try anything funny.”

Aaron clapped loudly. “Cut it out, boys. Leo, focus on what you came here to do!” He counseled with his back turned.

Leo cursed underneath his breath and took a step backwards. “Chloe is not like that sort of girl. She didn’t lie about you being the father of her child and whatever happened between you two isn’t her usual kind of way.”

“Isn’t she your wife aren’t you suppose to be angry?”

“Whatever you chose to think of, I really don’t care. I just need your dumb self to apologize for disrespecting her and if you insist on a DNA to prove it, fuck you! If you try to toy with her dignity by questioning it and think you will get away with it, you will have me to contend with. And you had better keep it in mind to tell Darby about it. I’m sure she would be dying to hear your side of the story.”

Zac gritted his teeth realizing that it would be to his own disadvantage if he says anything to him. He had wondered if it made sense that Chloe came to him to tell him about the pregnancy when she is married. Since he is guilty of sleeping with her he couldn’t ask why Leo feels assured that the baby isn’t is.

“I like that you are speechless. Since you have nothing to say, we would leave now. I just needed to let you know who you are messing with. Just incase you don’t want to be a father, I would gladly take the child as mine and deprive you of all the right to him or her.” Leo grinned sheepishly, gesturing to Aaron for them to leave.

“I am sure you will get stabbed in your sleep soon.” Aaron muttered as they got into the elevator.

“You traitor. I could have had my neck tweaked in there.” Leo laughed heartily.

“You did well. Chloe would be grateful to you.”

“I hope she would.” He grinned in delight.