The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

“I’ll send you the design next week. Then we can talk about changes.”

“I know you’re busy. I really appreciate you for doing this.” Lyra seemed a genuine person. Besides, she had nothing to do with the feud between Mykel and Dru.

“You’re a family, Lyra.” I got up from my seat. “Your baby might be hungry. Let’s get something to eat.”

“I also need some exercise.” She agreed with me. “How’s Mykel as a person, as a husband?”

“At first, I found him egotistic, arrogant, shallow, foul-mouthed, and you know the stereotype-a rich playboy who gets what he wants. But when I get to know him, he’s thoughtful and has a heart of gold. There’s more to see in him than meets my eye.”

Despite the busy street, it was a good day. The weather wasn’t humid, and I enjoyed Lyra’s company.

“How did you and Dru meet?”

“I worked for him for more than two years.” She smiled. I couldn’t see the spark of being in love, but I did believe she cared about the father of her unborn child.

“Worked? You stopped?”

She nodded. “I know it’s not ideal. I mean, my doctor did not restrict me from working, but Dru made me. That’s our deal. So, I stay at home until I give birth.”

“Well, that sounds great. He’s concerned about your health and your baby.”

We made it to the bistro. I ordered my usual while Lyra chose a tea latte before we occupied an empty road table.

“You actually eat from here?” She looked surprised.

“Yeah. Why? It passed the city health inspection.” I chuckled at the look on her face.

“Well, you’re an heiress. You could have chosen a class cafe.”

“I lived in a two-bedroom apartment on the west side with my best friend. I still do, actually. My things are still there. I eat Chinese takeouts. I drove myself to work.” I pointed at my driver. “This is his second week working with me. Mykel hired him. So my life isn’t as glamorous as the other heiresses.”

Our order arrived. The croissant and eclair looked delicious.

“And you don’t mind having some calories?” she asked as she looked down at the cream on top of the coffee.

I laughed. “I got that a lot. To be honest, I like food. I love to eat and drink. I run on a treadmill and do yoga, but I don’t starve myself. Of course, I have restrictions-I make sure I eat healthy food, but I don’t mean some sugar and carbs.”

“I agree with you. And you definitely don’t look starved.” She looked at my body. “I don’t believe those pictures I see on Instagram. I’m also not against people who work hard to get the body shape they want, but I don’t think starving is good for the body and mental health.”

“You’re right.” I sipped my coffee. “How’s Dru handling being a baby daddy?”

She rubbed her abdomen. I thought it was cute. I believed unborn babies could feel the mother’s emotion, touch, and hear noises. “My baby is not his.”

“Excuse me?” I asked in shock. My hand flew to my mouth. “Does he know?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

“Forgive my intrusion. How did he take it? I’m sorry.” I held my hand up. “It’s none of my business. You don’t have to answer.”

“Oh, he’s the one who volunteered to help.”

“What do you mean?” I was still in shock. My brain was still reeling. I had a terrible way of trying to sink everything in right now.

“Dru knew about my ex. It’s just right that he should know everything. My ex didn’t take it well when I told him I was pregnant with his child. He said this was not his, even if he knew I only slept with him. I was a virgin when we first slept together.” She rolled her eyes. “I know. I was a twenty-six-year-old virgin, and I thought he loved me, but I was wrong.”

I reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have gone through that. No one deserved to feel that way.”

“It’s okay. Then three months ago, Dru noticed me. I denied it at first. And it’s not stated in a contract that single female employees can’t be pregnant-”

“That would be ridiculous.”

“Yeah. Then he told me that I would be compensated, and I have paid maternity leave. At that time, my parents just learned that I was considering abortion, but I felt awful thinking of killing an innocent unborn child because of my mistake.”

“Then what happened?”

“I came to work late.” She took a deep breath. “Dru told me I could go home if I weren’t feeling better. I refused. I had to work because now that I was not alone anymore, I needed to save for my child. I didn’t have savings, Adley. I still offered my help to my family. It’s a family thing. I don’t know. I still feel obligated even if they never asked me. When I got home to my apartment, I was shocked to find my boss waiting for me. He gave me no choice but to tell him the truth. Then Dru offered his help-”

“What’s the catch?”

“Provided that I should stop working, but I’m still getting paid. As soon as I give birth, I can decide whether to keep the baby or send it for adoption. But I’m keeping my baby, and he’s okay with that.”

“You two never been involved? Sorry, just curious.” I smiled. I felt like a gossiper, wanting more details.

“I don’t know.” I saw something in her smile. “He’s kind. He’s also like my father, but I started to care about him.”

“You know the truth between him and his son?”

“His sons,” she corrected me. “Yeah. He said he’s still trying to pick up the pieces and put them together, but Mykel has never given him a chance. He regretted everything he’d done. Trust me. He cried a river when he opened up. He couldn’t blame Mykel. Dru got married and had a child at a young age, and he was just as ambitious as Mykel. It was too late when he got what he wanted and planned on getting his family back.”

“I grew up without parents. If I could return to that time, I would tell them not to go on that trip. But we can live for this moment and be good to the person we care about.”

“He’s working on his relationship with his other son, too. An artist. We visited his gallery downtown. He’s also talented and good-looking. It really runs in Hartford’s DNA.”

“Really? Mykel never mentioned him to me even once. What’s his name?”

“Knox-” What? Did she just say Knox?

“Excuse me?” There was a lot of Knox in the city, right?

“Knox Waylon Hartford.”

“Knox, huh? What’s he looked like?” I fist my hands when they trembled and felt the ice seeping through my bones.

Lyra just described the person I just once knew. “Are you okay? You look pale.”

I nodded, even if it wasn’t convincing. “Excuse me for a minute.” I rose from our table and fished out my phone as I walked away from Lyra.

I dialed Mykel. He picked up right away, and he just admitted everything. I felt like my world was slipping off my feet and falling deep into the dark.

“How could he keep that from me?” I kept repeating that question.

I felt awful, terrible, and disgusted with myself. I kissed Knox and met Mykel the same night. How did I miss the clue?

“Adley, are you okay?” It was Lyra, squeezing my shoulder.

I hung up the phone before I turned around. I wiped my tears before I replied, “I’m fine.”

“I couldn’t help but listen. I have no idea you’ve never met Knox. I’m so sorry. I should have known.”

“It’s not your fault. I couldn’t believe it, and I’d never questioned myself why Mykel never mentioned his half-brother’s name.” I shrugged. “Well, who would have thought I would be kissing brothers. God, I feel sick in my stomach.”

“It’s gonna be okay,” she said as she rubbed my arms.

“I should be the one saying that to you, Lyra. I’m sorry. Oh, God! I felt like I’m gonna throw up.” I pressed a hand on my abdomen. “It’s awful.”

“Do you wanna get out of here?”

I watched Romare for a while before I decided, “Let’s go.”

We managed to hail a cab in the next block.

“Where to, madames?”

“I don’t know where to go.” I didn’t know whom I was answering, the cab driver or myself. I didn’t want to go home. I wasn’t ready to face Mykel and listen to him as he defended his ego, and I couldn’t go to my apartment where he would search for me. “I just wanna get out of here away from Mykel.”

“Would you mind if we go home instead?”

I stared at Lyra for a moment. “That’s a good idea. Thanks.” She then told the driver the address. “We can talk about it there. Dru would not be at home until tonight.”

I nodded as I smiled at her timidly.

“But Mykel might be looking for you as we speak, you know.”

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