CEO Leo’s Baby Mama Is Back

Chapter 91 Can it be fixed?

SHRIMPS BED RESTAURANT, LOS ANGELES.

Zac tapped his feet on the hard floor anxiously, he couldn’t put his mind in place after Leo came to meet him at his workspace. He had been a bit distracted with the tabloid mess and having to meet with Essence director on what would become of the dress designs they were working on. It had been a crazy couple of weeks and even though he tries hard not to think about it, he finds himself worrying about Chloe. If the child is his, he wouldn’t leave her to it.

He is more responsible than his father, Zac has always promised himself to never end up like his sperm donor whom is also referred to as his birth father. He never showed up and when he did it was just to show off that he is there for his son. Gallivanting around the country with the excuse of living his best life and not wanting to be tied down by family. Zac had thought he would never be the type to want a family too as he feared he might become like his father.

However, his mindset took a different turn when he met Darby. Seeing her go through so much pain with the pregnancy and birth of Sinclair, Zac knew he wanted to be with her, stand by her side and help her scale through whatever hurdle she might need to jump. He had hoped for it for the past five years and still hoping it would eventually work out but things obviously don’t always work out as planned. Now to make matters worse he has an intending baby mama. Even though he still has his hidden doubts, for the sake of the innocent child he won’t try to air it.

Raising his head, his heart thumped at the sight of Chloe entering the restaurant. He waved at her to get her attention. She had a distant look in her eyes as she made her way to him.

“Hi.” Zac said nervously.

Chloe pulled out a chair for herself and sat in it. “I am surprised you called.”

“I thought we needed to discuss. What would you like to have?”

“Nothing.” She replied bluntly.

“Can you not act so cold, Chloe? I just want us to have a normal adult conversation.”

She scoffed in distaste, Chloe wouldn’t have responded to his call if her godmother hadn’t urged her to come. “Did I hold onto your neck or what? I just told you I don’t want anything. Is that suppose to be a problem?”

Zac sighed tiredly. “It’s okay. So, the pregnancy…” He drawled.

“What about the pregnancy?” She stated.

“Chloe.” He groaned painfully. “Can you not make this hard for me, please? I’m trying to act responsible and not be a deadbeat father. Don’t put me in a fix.”

“What exactly changed, Zac? You already made me appear delusional for coming to meet you in the first place. I do know I am married, but we had sex before I got married and as shameful as it might sound, I have only had sex with my husband once since we got together and we used protection. So you think you are that high class for me to come to you and inform you about me pregnancy, right? I am capable of looking after myself, Zac. I only wanted to keep you in the loop and not hide the truth from you. As it is, Leo already knows. I don’t care what you think about me, Zac. I really don’t care.”

Zac who had been listening with rapt attention tapped his finger on the table slowly. “I am just trying to do what is right.”

“Fuck you, Zac. I am not some kind of charity case that you try to do what’s right to. I don’t care if you decide to not seek for the child. I am doing well for myself. Go fuck yourself!” Chloe bellowed angrily, storming off.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

It felt like a movie to Zac as everything unfolded, Chloe was with him in a minute and the next minute she left without looking back at him. It made him think hard on what he must have said wrong. Darby would have a proper instance of what might have transpired and what he did wrong. The thought of telling Darby made him scared. What if she hates him for sleeping around? But on a second note they haven’t shared a close relationship like that. Still, he doesn’t want to appear to her like an asshole, who can’t keep his dick in place.

Pulling at his hair he grumbled in frustration, it’s been a long time since he felt so stuck like this. He always seem to find a way out of whatever mess he finds himself, however, this feels different. The thoughts of him becoming inconsiderate like his father and probably get cursed out by his child made him cringe. Leaning into the chair, he felt his heart clench tightly that it almost cut out the air from his lungs. He needed to talk to someone.

If he was back in San Francisco he would have called his therapist for a session. And he doesn’t have close friends who he can relay his problems to. Zac has always kept to himself, overtime his friends had waned off along the line when he became so engrossed with his work and trying his best to work his way into the fashion industry as a celebrity stylist. He had to sacrifice a lot to get there and that included his friends. Even though he has met with several people in his line of work, none of them has that much of a close contact to him.

Darby was the only person that he saw differently, and probably because they worked together, he found himself smiling more around her and opening up to her. His therapist who had noticed the turn of event advised him to let Darby into his life without fear. It was going just fine until his heart choose to love her dearly instead. And he has since been hung up on her. What is there not to love in Darby, she is cool headed, determined and has love in her heart. He would be foolish to let her go so easily. But what to do when she doesn’t feel the same?

She is obviously still hung up on the father of her son. Shutting his eyes tightly, he tried to ignore the words of Emma on his interest to Darby. He opened his eyes and felt a sharp sting behind it. Even if he won’t get a lover for the meantime, he might as well make use of a friend and confidant. Plucking up courage, he picked up his phone to dial Darby. She picked on the second ring.

‘Zac, I was just about to call you.’ She hollered in one breath.

He chuckled lightly. ‘Why do you sound out of breath?’

‘I didn’t want to miss the call. It’s been a while I heard from you and it got me bothered that you probably might be angry at me.’ Darby mused.

‘Why would you even think like that? I agree that it’s been a rough couple of days for us, but that has never stopped us from talking. I called because I really need to talk to you. Will it be okay if we get to see tonight?’ He asked.

‘Will you come over for dinner? Sinclair would love to see you.’

‘I would love that too. Alright then, see you soon.’ Zac said hanging up.

Doing a few seconds of breathing exercise to calm his racing heart. He needs this, to keep his insanity in place he needs to vent out and not hold back. Bringing out a few cash from his wallet to tip the waiter, he left the restaurant with his thoughts burdening his shoulder.

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DARBY’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.

‘Why exactly are you calling at this time, Leo?’ Darby mumbled into the phone receiver blushing shyly.

Leo snorted playfully. ‘It’s not even dinner time yet. I just wanted to check up on you and be sure you are fine.’

‘Myself or Sinclair?’ She teased.

‘Come on, my son has a personal phone he uses and we communicate whenever. If I am calling you, it’s because I want to know how you are doing.’

‘Thanks Leo. I’m fine, even though I feel a bit guilty for getting Abigail locked up. Mom tries to act like everything is fine, but I can see how bothered she is. And it makes me wonder if calling Abigail out was the right thing to do.’ Darby said, stretching out her legs on the couch.

There was a brief silence on the other end. ‘You didn’t do anything wrong, Darby and don’t forget it’s not just you she dragged through the mud. Someone like Abigail doesn’t deserve to be pitied, if left alone, she would do it over and over again and unbothered about what might become of the people she is maliciously trying to hurt. She doesn’t deserve to be pitied and if you must be sincere to yourself, Abigail has caused you too much pain to be let loose so easily.’

Darby rubbed at the back of her neck, she has to admit to Leo’s words. Abigail didn’t bother to think twice before dragging a child in her vengeful journey. Nothing mattered to her than her selfish gain. ‘I’m just concerned about my mom.’

‘She is a mother and Abigail is her daughter. It would definitely hurt to see her child in such situation. It’s not your fault. It probably has an underlying personal effect in it which has nothing to do with you being involved. I don’t want you to get bothered about something so trivial. See why I called? You overthink too much.’

She giggled into the receiver. ‘Can you blame me? I have had quite a hard life as it is.’

‘And I am sorry for that. I will keep apologizing till the end of time and help you in whichever way I can always. I just hope you would let me in whenever you need help. Don’t shy away from me Darby, please.’

Darby could hear the underlying meaning of his sentence, it made her heart flutter and at the same time worried that she might be giving off the wrong signal to a married man. Clearing her throat, she thinned her lips. ‘I have to go now, Leo. Thank you for calling. Bye.’ She said hurriedly before ending the call.

Getting up on her feet, she went to Sinclair who was engrossed in the cartoon he was watching on TV. She ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead, he didn’t flinch totally ignoring her presence. Sighing in resolve, Darby left him alone.

“Is everything okay?” Isabella asked when she pulled out a stool to sit in.

“I don’t know, Bella. I find myself getting more comfortable around, Leo.”

“What’s wrong with that? Aren’t you supposed to be cool with it?”

“He is a married man, Bella. And let me be sincere with you, I still have strong feelings for Leo. I am only holding back because it’s obviously not going to be possible to get back with him. I wanted to hate him, I thought I harbored hate towards him all the time but I was mistaken. The moment I saw him again the feelings that I considered as flimsy returned with a full flame. I don’t want to get roped up in another mess.”

“Darby, why are you always quick to pull yourself down and fault you for all the things that happens out of your control? You should appreciate yourself for holding up so long and not standing entitled to anything. Harbor your feelings for as long as you want to, as long as you don’t try to push yourself to him. It will fade off with time.”

“I don’t think it would ever fade off. My father has loved my mom since the day he came across her and he still held onto the feeling two decades later. What if I can’t forget about Leo?”

“Then wait until then and let fate take its course. At least your parents did meet years later.”

“I want a family, Bella. I don’t want to end up alone. I want to wake to see the face of the man I love and my children. Sinclair would eventually move on and get used to seeing his father more. I want a life beyond sacrificing myself for my son. I just want to have what I didn’t have while growing up. Is that too much to ask?” She sounded pained.

Isabella tilted her head to the side. “You don’t have to feel hopeless. It would come to you, trust me. Now let’s get over this sad feeling and finish up dinner. Zac would be here soon.”

“Oh, that’s true.” Darby mused, she had almost forgotten that they were expecting company.

They got down to work and it didn’t take long for the door bell to come on. Darby excused herself to get the door.

“Hey, you.” Zac grinned handing her the flower he got.

Darby smiled receiving the flower. “Thank you so much, Zac. Please come in.” She invited.

Sinclair ran towards him and he got lifted off the floor while Zac waved at Isabella and handed the box of chocolate and wine he got them. They settled to eat dinner and make small talks. Zac waited patiently for Sinclair to initiate falling asleep before he asked Darby for a moment.

Darby noticed the tensed look he had on his face. “Is everything okay, Zac?”

Zac exhaled standing by the balcony with both of his hands pocketed. “I have something I intend to share with you, Darby. I promise you, it wasn’t intentional, I had no plans for something like this to take place. It just happened and I need you to know that the feelings I harbored towards you over the years are true.”

She folded her arms against her chest, feeling detached from his words. “What are you saying?”

“I got someone pregnant!” He blurted, “I am not quite sure if the child is mine yet.”

“What? Didn’t you sleep with the person? Why would you have sex with someone and think it’s impossible to fall pregnant?” She sounded angry.

“That isn’t the case, Darby. The person in question is Chloe.”

“Chloe? Which Chloe?” She scrunched up her face.

“Leo’s wife.”

Gasping loudly, Darby covered her mouth with her palm. “Please tell me you didn’t mean that.”

He huffed in exhaustion. “I wish I could. I am just so doubtful because she and Leo obviously must have had something together and the baby is probably his. But you don’t have to be bothered about that Darby, I will fix this.”

She scoffed. “Why do you think I am bothered, Zac? You are an adult and you clearly have your life to live. Whatever you do with it is none of my business.”

Zac was taken aback by her harshness. “Why are you so angry?”

“Are you asking me that, Zac? Why would you involve yourself with Leo’s woman? How does that make any sense? What were you thinking?”

“Chloe is also in on it. Why am I the one taking all of the blame?”

“You aren’t even remorseful. What would Leo say about all of this?” Her face scrunched up more in a painful frown. “What were you two thinking?”

“Leo already knows about it.” Zac mumbled under his breath.

Staring in disbelief, Darby had her mouth wide agape not certain that she heard anything right. Feeling confused she waved a dismissive hand. “You know what? All of this is none of my business and I have no interest to be a part of it. You started this Zac, find a way to fix it. Just make sure that child doesn’t suffer the consequence of your actions. I will excuse myself.” She stated before walking off.

Zac stared at her receding back feeling conflicted. Rather than feel unburdened, it felt like his baggage had increased.