Chapter 88: NEVER BEEN SMOOTH

LAURA

I waited for Tristan. He never returned to Milan.

And on the second day of waiting, the news came.

His wedding date had been fixed, and that was the reason he had traveled.

Despite how much I convinced myself I just slept with Tristan without any strings attached, my heart still shattered as soon as the news reached my ears.

I felt stupid all over again. What did I think was going to happen? That because we shared another night of incredible passion, he’d cancel his plans and be with me? I never expected that much, but somewhere at the back of my mind…the hope for something real lurked.

I was bitter and cynical throughout the rest of the shoot, and it was a constant struggle to not snap at innocent people who did nothing to deserve my anger.

Thankfully, the shoot was wrapped up after day three, and we left on day four. It was evening when we arrived, so I headed straight home from the airfield, even though Peter Callahan had mentioned on the flight that Tristan would like to meet with me as soon as I was in New York.

I had no intention to see him—how would I even face him? I needed to collect my thoughts and remind myself that what happened was yet another fling…remind myself of why I left in the first place, even though it was with a piece of him.

Most importantly, I needed to see my baby boy. I’d missed him so much it hurt physically.

“I think I’ll just head home from here, Ms. Hayes,” Layla said with a yawn, adjusting her glasses.

“Of course, Layla. Thank you for your hard work.”

She left me with a mock salute. “I’ll see you Monday, ma’am. I’ll be available via email if you need me.”

I waved at her. “How will you get home?!”

“I’ll get a cab!”

Just then, my black BMW pulled up to the sidewalk, and José got out of the driver’s seat. “Welcome back, ma’am.”

“Thank you, José. Do you think you can give my assistant a ride to where she lives?”

He nodded. “I’ll have to drop you off at home first, if it’s not on the way.”

“Let’s get her first.” I got in and he drove up to where she was down the sidewalk. “The boss says you should get in.”

She glanced at him, eyeing him like he was a stranger about to abduct her. “No, thank you.”

“She’s not asking.”

She glared at him.

I almost laughed at the exchange. Then I rolled down the window and stuck my head through. “Get in, Layla. It’s getting pretty late. Can’t leave a pretty girl like yourself wandering the streets of New York when the sharks come out to hunt.”

She blushed hard, and made her way to the other side of the car.

“Get in front,” José barked when she attempted to sit in the back.

I actually laughed this time, shaking my head.

Fortunately, Layla’s house was just on the way, so we dropped her before making the final stop at my house.

Eli was sleeping by the time I walked through the doors. According to Ivy, he had spent the whole day playing with his toys and building sand castles out in the back of the house. So he’d even fallen asleep on the dining table after dinner.

I went up to his room and pressed a long kiss to his forehead, holding him close to my bosom. The simple routine ached more this night, especially when I remembered that my baby’s father would be getting wedded to another woman.

Was it tomorrow they said the wedding was happening?

What did I care, anyway? I wanted to know as little about it as possible.

But what could I do when I couldn’t stop thinking about the night in Milan? the way he held me like I was all that mattered in the world…the way he worshipped my body and showed me a world of inexplicable pleasure.

I couldn’t stop thinking about any of it.

After I left Eli’s room, I went down to mine and soaked in a warm, scented bath for a long time.

Ivy was still up in the living room, reading under a bright lamp on one of the couches. “Exams?” I asked as I joined her. She glanced at me, and I could see in her eyes… the agitation about academics I once used to know.

“Yes, Ms. Hayes. They’re up to my neck, and I can’t sleep without thinking about failing out if I don’t read a few more pages.”

A small laugh tumbled past my lips. “I know what it’s like. It’ll all be in the past, soon enough. Just do your best and the rest will take its course.”

She heaved a deep sigh. “Right? I’m trying.” Then she whipped her head my way like she just remembered something. “That’s right. Some woman came by a few days ago, asking to see you. Demanding, actually.”

My body tensed up because it instantly recognized who she was talking about.

But I still had to ask because well…you might never know if you don’t.

“Who is it?”

“She refused to say her name. Said something about it being insulting.” Ivy tapped her pen against her chin in deep thought. “Actually, she looked like someone I’ve seen around. Can’t exactly remember.”

Of course my mother had been here a few times after she discovered where I lived. But it did not matter, having to tell Ivy that.

“I hope she never got into the house.” My utmost priority was protecting my son from their poison. I did not want them to meet him in any way.

He was one precious thing that belonged to me alone. All mine.

“Not at all.” Ivy shook her head. “José was real strict with her, kept her out and all.”

Thank God for José.

And…I had to do something about my mother. Maybe I should go see the family that had once turned their back on me, try to find out what they want with me again.

There were very high chances of this harassment being because of money. They were money grubbers, after all. They were there to take and take from me. Never giving to me. Not love, not care, not attention, not the basic needs of a human being who was born to parents.

I wished countless times that there was a way to cut them off forever. Never see them again, never hear from them, never interact.

But unfortunately, familial relationships are the most complicated of all kinds, because there’s no space to break up and block their asses from your orbit, forever.